M E D I E V A L S C R A T C H D I A L o n s ta t u e f B V r n n h I n e s a h u r c h l o . a d C ild C G o i gi , gl h m , s . PRI MITIV E S UN D IALS

SC RA TC H DIALS

'

a - n i G m ai ing a $a t qf Mom n S amtzm et

DOM ETHELBERT HOR NE

W I T H A P R E FA CE B Y

D HA L a Bu R J C R ES c o x m .

ntnn fitau .

- BARNICOTT P EARC E , TH E W ESS E$ P RESS

H i

INTRO DU CTION

VA RIOU S THEORIES

O-F SCRA TCH

P OSITIONS

S TYL E O -R GNOMON

A N D HOLES

THEIR.

L I S T O F I L L U S TR A TI O N S

PLA TE P AG E

M ~ ir in and ediaeval Scratch Dial On statue of B . V g

F r ont s iece C ild n e m C Glo s . i h , I gl sha hurch , p

S x on S n di l : D li wo C a u a s ag ng rth hurch ,

S in b C G . a ts ury hurch , los

S o lle C H Bridge rs hurch , ereford

i C So m e e K lmersdon hurch , rs t

P R E F A C E

i i f n n e r . 0 these asc at g pag s , my good f iend the Rev Father Hom e has invited me to write a few pr elim i

f ~ u n o . ary words by way preface I felt honoured by the req est , and although I am not vain enough to imagine that my name w to o f ill add materially the popularity this book , I desire as an Old antiquary and ecclesiologist to bear my testimony to ’ hn F H the value , originality and thoroug ess Of ather orne s a comprehensive researches . Another re son why I am glad to be connected in any way with this work is on accoun t of its close connection with the su perlatively beautifu l and i fi n S i n nitely varied cou ty of omerset , to wh ch I am much

In i . attached . th s shire I received the major part of my u S n ed cation at omersetshire College , Bath , u der the venerated

the - . S headmaster Rev Hay weet Escott , the late Rector of m Cleeve . I also spent the happiest days of y boyhood , youth ’ h i n Lu and earlyman ood my father s parish of ccombe , whence

u even as a schoolboy , I loved to explore the delightf l old churches of West S omerset . The au thor o f these pages has accomplished a wonderful feat of travel in his rambles in search of this single detail o f f o . F church lore , in the leisure hours a very busy life or in Of S this huge county omerset , where there are over a million 500 F H m acres and nearly parishes , ather o e has visited every single o ld church to take notes and photographs of these

i i . primitive or med aeval d als , wherever extant My o wn attention was drawn to the absorbing su bject o f Of these early forms church time keepers , whereby the priests S of axon , Norman and later days were able to regulate the

u in ho rs Of Mass and of other Offices , by the striking paper kshir e A r chaeolo ica l Jou r na l Yor . Vol . V of the g by the Rev D benefi c ed Father Haigh . uring the years that I was in the x Pr efac e

R vi North iding , I sited every example that he adduced of n these primitive dials . My k owledge was soon after increased hi in o f by the supplementary paper on t s subject Vol . IX the 1 96 same Proceedings by my friend Canon Fowler . Then in 8 I became greatly interested in what I am still inclined to believe to be the remarkable Old S axon example built up in

N St . S the porch Of the orthampton church of epulchre , and S n fo l published details with illustrations . i ce then I have lowed u p the question somewhat more closely in connection

“ difi erent o f with examples in counties , particularly in those o n Norfolk , Cumberland and Westmorland . I have also several occasions drawn attention to these dials at the usua l o f a be summer meetings the Royal Arch eological Institute , i 1 8 7 ginn ing with that held n Salisbury in 8 . All this catalogue of my own contributions to this branch f n t o f o ecclesiology is o set forth with any touch vainglory , but chiefly to emphasise the fact that , in this respect , I now

o f . o n sit at the feet Father Horne His conclusions , based a much wider knowledge , have taught me a lesson of humility , to o wn for they , some marked extent , upset my theories and those o f wiser men than myself .

A L Co x J . CH R ES

SYD ENHAM

Novem ber 1 9 1 6 NOTE BY AU THOR

I T is a pleasant du ty to acknowledge my indebtedness to a number Of friends whose help has been generously given . In

du e . the first place my thanks are to Mr Antonio de Navarro , whose interest in my work and whose generosity have alik e

. To D r made this little book a possibility the Rev . . J . Charles

o x i C , who k ndly consented to write the Preface , and who has given me the valuable assistance of his wide antiquarian n k owledge , I am deeply indebted , and I also express my

. H . G gratitu de for help and advice given by Mr S t . eorge

n u u Gray , the Curator of our Cou ty M se m . A large number o f cor respondents in S omerset have called my attention to dials in places that I might have overlooked , and to these as well I tender my thanks . Among them I must mention the

- F u - fi e R ev . . v W Weaver , who , d ring the last twenty years not only on this subject , but on many kindred matters , T has been an unfailing source of information . o the Rev .

. H . H . G Of Prebendary E Bates arbin , Mr Gerald rey Bath , and — . . S o f the Rev George W aunders , Vicar Curry Rivel the latter h as u o f especially , who taken photographs and meas rements —m a dial I was not able to reach y sincere thanks are also due .

u I should like to mention Mr . E . E . Purnell , the r ral postman u S at $ een Camel , who made a careful list of the cratch dials in his neighbourhood— where they abound— and gave me

u considerable assistance with them . It is diffic lt to single out names from among a mu ltitu de Of correspondents all over

England , who have sent me photographs or sketches relatin g to this subject . I am under Obligation to the Rev . Canon Wilson of Worcester for information concerning the dials o n M r S u . a oon toulton Ch rch , and to Mrs , daughter of the late ’

Sir D . o f Henry ryden , Bart , for the loan of some her father s

i

. H C . . papers on the d als in Northamptonshire Mr . Goodman xii Note by A u thor

l o f f sent me a va uable collection photographs o Sussex dials , F elto e and to the Rev . Dr . of Ripple Rectory I am especially obliged fo r the trouble he took in obtaining in formation about

A . . in K . L those ent lso I have to thank Mr W . Lancaster Gaye for placin g at my disposal a considerable newspaper

n t . u corresponde ce dealing wi h this question Finally , I m st D o f mention Mr . W . ennis Moss , photographer , Cirencester , fo r k in dly giving p ermission to use the photograph which forms the frontispiece . E THELB ERT HORNE

D OW NSID E AB B EY

‘ S -TR ATTON - ON - TH - F O B A TH E SSE ,

Decem ber 8th 1 9 1 6 P R I M ITIVE SU N D I A LS O R

SC R A TC H DI A LS

INTROD U CTION

PON the walls o f many of our old parish churches may of u n be found a primitive form s ndial , co sisting of a few n di li es , cut rectly on the stone . These dials have interested

‘ u and puzzled many enquirers , and no very definite concl sions

a s u to their p rpose appear to have been reached . While at

first sight they certainly seem to be a simple form of sundial ,

yet as they do not record time by any known system , and also as they frequently have lines upon them which the sun a can never reach , it has been contended that they c nnot be

“ s An d undials at all . there are other difficulties . Here and u an d there , one of them may be fo nd facing north or east , s w ometimes they may be seen ithin the south porch , deep in diflicu lties the shade . These have led investigators to form theories as to the possible u se to which these incised lines were u t p , and while some of them are ingenious , none are con in “ vinc . i g The enquirer , as a rule, has stud ed only a few e l xamp es , and he has not infrequently had the misfortune to fi n d i Of a d al an exceptional pattern or in an abnormal position . he From these has generalised , and the results have not been satisfactory . It is only when some hundreds of these incised lines have b een photographed and the photographs laid side by side and c ritically examined that it is possible to compare dial with if dial and see their similarities and d ferences . This compara i tive process is scarcely possible in any other way . The d als o n o f i a number churches may be visited , but it is d fficult to c w n so arry a ay and retain an accurate picture in the mi d , 2 Prim itive S a n Dia ls or S cra tch Dia ls

tw r various are the designs . But when o o three dozen photo o n e b e graphs are ranged before the eye at time , they may subjected to minute examin ation and cert ain deductions may

o f . be made . As batch after batch pictures is treated in this n e manner , the fi al conclusions are probably about as accurat as the subject allows . This is the method which has been followed for studying the dials to be found on the churches . o f S omerset , and upon this method the conclusions here set

o u t . n have been reached There is , however , one objectio — the which may be made to such procedure namely , that all o n e l t examples are taken from but county in Eng and , and tha perhaps a yet wider range would have given different results . While it is true that a critical study has been made of the S l u dials upon omerset churches alone , neverthe ess large n mbers of photographs from all parts of England and the dials them selves in many places widely separated have been examined . The result o f this examination is to show that dials do no t f o di fer in design or purpose , as far as can be disc vered , in any f th e part o the country . It is quite impossible to tell from i n l photograph Of any particular d al to what cou ty it be ongs , so much alike are they . Although at first it seemed as if those in the eastern counties were larger than those in the e western , later examination showed that it was only becaus and persons photographed large and prominent specimens ,

passed over or failed to notice the smaller k inds . Hence although such an exhaustive study o f the dials in f e other counties has not been made , yet a su ficiently larg number has been examined to warrant the general conclusions

as being fairly correct . Hitherto this form o f dial does n ot seem to have had any particular name by which it may be distinguished from the

ordinary or formal sundial . The name S cratch dial has been fo r used the purpose , as the vast majority are merely scratched di upon the walls and can scarcely be said to be incised . Or r nary sundials are frequently incised , particularly in thei $ V II century forms , and hence this word is scarcely enough

i S . with which to d stinguish . It is true that cratch dial does n o t describe all the kinds here treated , as some are made by n o t b u t drilling holes into the wall , and merely with scratches , Primitive S u n Dials or S cratch Dials 3 this variety is not common and hence the name chosen is l probably sufficient y descriptive . A S cratch dial differs from a true sundial firstly by bein g i l on n cut d rect y a stone in the church wall , while a su dial u o r us ally has a plate o r face of its o wn . Secondly the style i gnomon is always inserted at a right angle , wh le in a properly constructed sundial it is fixed at an angle which varies a c i to hi S cord ng the latitude of the place . T rdly a cratch dial o f n never has figures at the ends the li es to denote the hours , hi as a real sundial has . To this may be added that w le a i o f S i sund al gives all the twelve hours the day , a cratch d al one o r i has Often only two lines , and these strictly speak ng i do not designate t m e. A few dials have been foun d which are a kind o f link between two r the fo ms above described , and they date in all proba bilit i y from the early years of the $ VII century . These d als on o f are cut directly the wall , they have the figures the

- h o f twelve day ours at the ends the lines , and the gnomon was o r either inserted at an angle , bent upwards to make some S di kind of correction fo r the latitude of the place . uch a al u of may be seen on the south b ttress Montacute church , S i omerset , w th its quaint gnomon still in position , and another o n o f o f Y exists the eastern side the south porch atton , in t u . S o o the same co nty , with the gnomon lost ometimes , a o f i part the build ng will be made to serve as a gnomon , as

when a bu ttress or a drip - stone casts a shadow on an adjoining

u to wall , where lines are cut with fig res at their ends , denote u f S n the ho rs . None o these forms are cratch dials , bei g merely rough o r ingenious methods of making an ordinary

sundial . VA RIOU S TH EORIES

ON E o f th e earliest writers o n these primitive dials was the An 1 8 8 8 late Mr . W . drews , who contributed a paper in to the i of Warwickshire Field Club , on d als in the neighbourhood “ : n Coventry . He says I have also fou d that church walls n contain other marki gs especially incised circles , which Often have rays diverging from the centre . The smallest which I 1 i have yet found is % inches in d ameter upon Nuneaton Church , and the largest 2 3 in ches in di ameter (half a circle only )

—- r upon the church o f Hampton in Arden . The w iter then gives lists o f churches where these in cised circles may be o u t found , and points that a circle with a hole in the centre and rays in the lower half only is a common pattern . These 6 8 n di are usually to i ches in ameter , and at first sight look

- di . i like miniature sun als But the rays are equi d stant , or so do no t c o rres on d nearly , and consequently p to the hour

n n o . li es upon a dial . Also figures are engraved The writer “ sums up his investigations as follows : It will be asked ‘ Who made these circles , why were they made , and when were they made To these questions I can at present All n . give o answer . Further investigation is desirable the circles contain a small central hole and , as I have already of l explained , many them possess rays My be ief is that some Of these rayed circles have been left unfin ished . On

Nuneaton Church there is a central spot with only three rays , and another with only o ne ray . The worn and decayed state

‘ o f most o f these circles shows that they are ancient . Most f f n o them appear upon the south side o the churches . I k ow o f one instance (Bath) where I have found circles upon the hi north Side . T s seems to indicate that although they are no t sundials they may possibly in some way symbolize the sun . ’ Al Gatt s 1 88 9 . B ook o In , the second edition Of Mrs fred y f

S u n - dia ls l in di was pub ished , and an appen x to this interesting

P rim itive S a n Dia ls or S cra tch Dia ls 5 collection Of formal sundials is a chapter dealing with those of the incised description . The author having described the S i in o u r axon d als to be found chiefly northern counties , gives several extracts from a paper by the Rev . J . T . Fowler in ’ Volume IX of the Yorkshire Ar chaeological S ociety s Jou r na l

34 -er l u . f (pp , The writ has cata og ed a number o Saxon su ndials and S cratch dials o n the churches of Yorkshire and adj oining counties , some Of which Mrs . Gatty illustrates . Through failing to notice that all the lines n o w to be foun d ri o ri in a ll upon any given dial were not necessa ly on it g v, she arrives at the curious conclu sion that many o f these dials n were at o e time in a horizontal position (p . At S r n i l outh Ce ey also , a church of very early date , three d a s u u o f are b ilt into the so th buttress of the tower , two di u u them are vided into day and night ho rs , and wo ld there fore seem once to have been horizontal (p . The author fi n d in i fo r - i appears to a difficulty th s theory , speak ng of a dial on the church at Potterspury she says It may after wards have been marked to show twenty - four hou rs and t u t ri placed horizontally , and hen p in an up ght position when is u sed in the building of the church . And yet there no u di hi n o t especial look of antiquity abo t this al stone , w ch is more weather - worn than the mou ldings Of the window beside

. u i h it (p . Mrs Gatty concl des by say ng T is slight sketch o f early dials may serve to show how large a field still S o f r mains for the explorer ome explanation , too , var ious crosses which mark some of the lines is mu ch to be i desired . It is certa nly possible in some cases that the crossed i n lines mark the canon cal hours , as well as the central poi ts $ of the fou r tides of the day .

1 900 B ook o S i m- dials In the latest edition ( ) of the f , a great deal that was said in the earlier edit-ions about the kind o f S dials here dealt with has been omitted , and although cratch n o t S i dials are distinguished from axon sund als , they are I V more or less kept together in a chapter ( ) by themselves . The authors seem to have given up the theory that many of these dials were once in a horizontal position , and were after r l wards built up ight into the church wa l , and leave these 8 1 i rayed circles (p . ) unexpla ned for the present , as what 6 Prim itive S u n Dia ls Or S cra tch Dia ls researches have been made are necessarily partial in character

- (p . It is to be regretted that where such great pain s have been taken to produce this exhaustive work on i i the sund al , the authors frequently have been obl ged to take

n - o r their i formation second hand , what is even more mis

in w n o f . lead g , from dra i gs instead from photographs The of in n quality a l e can rarely be show in a sketch , however i to carefully it is made , and the artist is usually more anx ous di reproduce the exact design as it stands , than to stinguish a i hi o f dd tional from original lines . It is t s lack critical ex amination of in dividual dials that somewhat dimin ishes the value of the excellent work done by the joint authors o f the book in question . There is a contribution to the Yorkshire Archaeological ’ S Jou r na l i ociety s Of earl er date than the work quoted above . m D In Volu e V the Rev . . H . Haigh writes a long and learned o n Yor kshir e Dia ls article , where much of the account is taken di up with a ssertation on runes and on Norse and S axon words . The writer confi nes himself strictly to dials o f the S axon ri hi of pe od , and he has gone at some length into the story f several o the more celebrated Yorkshire specimens . He refers to and explain s the crosses on certain o f the lin es upon

i . these ancient d als , mentioned by Mrs Gatty , although per haps the explanation is n o t quite convincing . Father Haigh n o t in to i does refer any way the d als that are here dealt with , but his paper is useful as showin g that they cannot belong t o S wi . the axon period , as ll be seen later An early writer on S cratch dials was the late Sir Henry D . i . . ul w n E L ryden , Bart His caref dra i gs , accompan ed by valuable descriptive notes Of the antiquities o f the coun ty of i t Northampton , form an important tem in the Nor hampton museum . Among his collection may be found a number of r i f o S di w . d aw ngs cratch als , together ith their measurements 1 8 9 6 In December , , he read a paper before the Northampton 1 O A i S on S u ints a nd Dia ls and akham rch tectural ociety q , and o f the latter he gives the followin g descri ption : The sort o f dials to be described must n o t be confused with

1 ’ P n e i h W orc ester sh re Tr ansact ons xxx t 2 . . r t n t e oc et s . 354 i d i S i y i , iii , p , p Pr im itive S u n Dia ls or S cra tch Dia ls 7

o i S . rd nary undials , either upright or horizontal They are ,

' with r ar e s exception , upright upon the walls and formed by i di n and ncisions in common buil ng stones , often on quoi s f r buttresses . Their use and the reason o their formation have

u r -s o f not been determined . They are us ally circles or pa t c 3 1 0 i n di f ircles from inches to inches ameter , ormed by 1 grooves about 33 inch wide and the same deep , placed from

4 feet to 7 feet from the groun d . They have a central hole o f an inch or 2 inch in diameter and from 3 inch to 1 inch o f i n in depth , and lines or rows small holes rad ati g from the c entre , and in some instances small dots or cavities in the o r periphery of the circle . Some have rays dots only in the

f . lower half o the circle . There are many varieties The

f u u number of rays di fers m ch , and they are us ally more or

u less irregular . Rays in the pper part of the circle were $ u useless for dial p rposes . None contain figures . The writer then describes the work that others have done with regard i hi s i o f to these d als , and continues paper w th a record his o wn observations in the coun ty o f Northampton . He con c lu des that few o f the central holes ever had gnomons in them a s to o - they are shallow and cup shaped , and that if they had they would have indicated time so erroneou sly as to be u seless . H u e notes that they are fo nd all over the kingdom , and that m u wi s any co ld not have been cut thout ladders , and add

It is possible that some may have been a sort of time - table $ ir to indicate the service hours . S Henry Dryden leaves the matter thus , and he is among the first who has suggested that

i - bu t these d als may not have been time keepers . merely mass markers . A lengthy correspondence took place in the E a ster n Da ily Pr ess du ring the sum mer of 1 9 1 0 on the origin and purpose of these incised marks . It began by a correspondent asking whether dials in wheel form might not be some form of the ’ —a ia v S exton s Wheel , med eval device said to ha e been used o n to determine by lot which day to begin a private fast . As these S acristan ’ s Wheels 1 (whatever may have been their true purpose) were articles kept in a church it is difficult to

1 N r k A r haeo o vol ix S ee o fo l c l gy, . , p . 201 . 8 Pr im itive S a n Dia ls or S cra tch Dia ls

w see how they can be mixed up ith these dials , which are

on . n scratches the church wall A other correspondent , the V R e - te Of v . V hi e . m i k L Meadows , Vicar Ho ng , Norfol , writ s that he has examin ed sixty - nin e churches in Norfolk and S i uffolk , and he comes to the conclusion that these mark ngs i 1 im are not sund als , for three reasons ( ) They are somet es placed un der the shadow of the south aisle on a buttress o f n i the chancel , where they would be useless as su d als for half 2 w the day . ( ) The spokes are dra n above as well as below w the horizontals and the sun never casts a shado upwards . 3 v hi ( ) They are placed as an a erage breast gh , and there is lo w no reason why a sundial should be so down . S everal other writers in this controversy describe dials as existin g n o u t “ su n hi i side porches , and point that as the could never s ne on i u n them , th s situation appears to them concl sive agai st the theory of their being true sundials .

r S A . . . W iting from wanton bbot , the Rev E E Montford ,

so - u i k the Rector , suggests that the called s nd al mar s on churches were primitive protractors cut by the Old stone hi id s masons , by w ch to set their sl ing bevels , or to form guage $ f r i o the angles at wh ch to c ut the stones . He adds tha t the only proof that he can Offer of this theory is that the angles i o f l o f 1 5 at wh ch most the stones are cut are multip es degrees , or on e of the 24 parts in to which the circular marks are

div . A w n ided ny ay , the workmen might have fou d them i su n or useful for their purpose , wh ch is more than the the $ ul sexton co d have done . The correspondence closes with an interestin g letter from in . . C . hi r Mr E Middleton , w ch he describes the va ious ways o f dividing time and explain s the methods displayed by Y hi S div n f the orks re axon dials of ision i to eight tides , each o three hours o f o u r present notation The di vision o f the day into tides was common to North Europe and remain ed in vi 1 909 O S candina a as late as . The ctaval was gradually merged D m S into the uodecimal syste common to outh Europe , and your Eastern Coun ties examples all seem to be o f this latter $ S i in period . peak ng of the great variation the number o f A n radii in these circles he says gai , we get a special marking a i in occasionally , Often these marked celebration w th the P l a t e I I

B r id e o lle r s u r c H e r e fo rd g S Ch h ,

1 0 Prim itive S u n Dia ls or S cra tch Dia ls of in iron the central hole . In at least a dozen instances I have noted similar fragments and many more cases of oxidised

‘ r n stains . Also in three o four places the insertion o f a k ife o f a wn has brought to light fragments hard o k . My o notion to is that the conscientious parish priest , in his anxiety be his regular in Masses and in the Observances of the Hours , was in the habit o f constructing these rough dials to supply him i o f with a fair ind cation the passage Of time , and that in the cases where there are several examples th ev were repeated for greater accuracy as the older ones became worn . To the above may be added Notes on the Dia ls or Cir cles on the S ou th Door Ja m bs o S tou lton Chu r ch n ea r Worcester f , com m im ic ated to the Worcestershire Archaeological S oci ety by

D . D . the Rev . Canon Wilson , The writer gives a full de s cription of four dials to be found on the above church with c areful measurements and adds : The problems o f the origin $ and purpose Of these circular markings is not yet solved . Th e author concludes by saying that he h as additional reason

r i fo record ng these descriptions as the church , and especially

so m e c on siderable . the chancel , is in need Of restoration When ‘ o f i e ver this takes place , it is hoped that some member th s S ociety will interest himself in brin gin g these stones to the o f for k nowledge the restoring authorities , and take steps t heir preservation . Devon a nd Cor nwa ll Notes a nd u er ies fo r A r 1 9 1 3 In the $ p il , ,

ac c o rm t i is an Of a d al at Bampton church , contributed by 1 58 6 M . i H . itchell Whitley This dial , wh ch is dated , is prob S o ne o f ably not a true cratch dial , but the transitional kind

mentioned above . o f i u Gu a rdia n Scattered notices d als may be fo nd in the , Tim es S a nctu a r S tr a nd n C hu r ch , the y, the magazi e and other i n i papers , but as they generally deal w th i div dual dials , and ri h n ot with their o gin and purpose , it is not t ought necessary

. in roceedin s of to refer to them here Finally , the P g the S om erset Archaeological S ociety for 1 9 1 4 is a p aper by the writer on S om erset S cra tch Dia ls which is incorporated in the

following chapters . TYP ES OF SCRA TCH D IA L S

S THE forms taken by cratch dials are various , and they range from a few simple radiatin g lines to complex figures ne or made with many circles . Those with but o two lines are always more uncommon than those with many , and dials with circles are usually of later constru ction than those with e o u t . S n o r ome dials have n ither lines circles , but are made i in by drill ng holes into the wall , the holes probably being tended to hold pegs . It is not easy to reduce all these varieties to a few types , but the list below gives headings under one or other of which any dial can be described . The position of the stylehole is taken as the most charac t er istic Of n . feature , and forms the first method disti ction n o t o f The position (but the number) the lines is the second , a n d Of on e the presence a circle , or any part of , forms the third . These three marks or characteristics are sufficient to for S i t account the great majority of cratch d als , the types hat follow them bein g necessary only because one here and there will be found that will n o t fit in under the above common distinctions . H to o The ole dials , naturally form a type by themselves , as do those dials which are made when lines and holes are o r u combined . The plain circles , with witho t a central style o n hole so commonly found our church walls , are not regarded n o t u as a type , as they may be dials ( nless they were origin ally i of pa nted) , but they are placed at the end the list Of types , a s it was felt that some mention should be made of them .

1 The st lehole m ade in a oint TYPE . y j between two cou r ses o m a sonr with la tera l a nd er endicu la r o ints f y, p p j ser ving a s dditiona l incised lin es bein added lin es a . , g Plate IV . 1 1 1 2 Prim itive S u n Dials or S cra tc h Dia ls

Dials answerin g to th e above description are probably the l O dest in point o f date . Nearly every dial inside a porch i of o r that has been d scovered hitherto is this type , the ll fo owing .

T 2 The st lehole ma de in a oint between two cou rses YPE . y j o ised a nd n i m aso nr with a ll the lines inc o o nts u sed . f y, j Plate V . i n ot Th s type is also quite primitive , but does represent

the minimum o f labour shown in the above .

The st l le m a de in a stone with lines r adia t T 3 . eho in YPE y , g

r r . f om it do wnwa ds only. Plate VI This is the commonest and most typical form of S cratch

dial .

T E 4 Th t lehole ma de in a stone with lines radiati . e s n YP y , g

r i i . f om t n a ll dir ection s. Plate VII h i T is is the form which produces the wheel d al , and is f f i l l the result o deliberate mutilation o the orig na simp er form .

The st le de in a stone with the radiati T 5 . ho le m a n YPE y , g lines enclosed in a or tion o a circle a sem icircle a (a ) p f , (b) , (c)

com lete circle. V . p Plates III , IX and X

The st lehole ma de in a stone with two or thr ee ver T 6 . YPE y , y

short wed e- sha ed lines benea th it havin their oints towards g p , g p

the style. Plate XI . of n These curiously shaped dials are rare , and a very disti ct

type . They are usually quite small .

The st lehole m a de in a stone with a er end icq T 7 . YPE y , p p i e c tti r I n one or m or e o the a nd a hor iz o nta l l n u ng ac oss it. f

o u r r i ht a n les thu s orm ed one or m or e radia tin lines. f g g f , g

Plate XII . i n ot t This is also quite a dist nct typ e , and it is par icularly n common . As it is closely allied to a S axon su dial in its w construction , it cannot in all cases be put do n as merely a

S cratch dial .

T 8 The sam e ar ran t a s T e 7 bu t the whole YPE . gem en yp ,

in a circle . conta in ed Plate XIII . o f S i A dial this form may quite easily be a axon sund al , hl particularly if all the workmanship is thoroug y good . P l at e I I I

e r sdo n u r c o er se Kilm Ch h , S m t

1 3 Prim itive S u n Dia ls or S cratch Dia ls

T hort 9 . The st lehole m ade i tone a nd at a s YPE y n a s ,

di - sta nc e r om it ho les or . f f m ing a n a re or sem i circle. Plate XIV $ These are more properly Hole dials than Scratch dials , and are not nearly as common as the latter kind . The holes l probably he d pegs .

1 T 0. The st leho le m a de in a ston e a nd su rrou nded b YPE y , y a com lete circle h o oles. p f Plate XV .

9 m . This form is a mutilation Of Type , and is rather unco mon

T 1 1 . The st lehole m a de in a sto ne with lines ra dia tin YPE y , g, on which holes a r e dr illed . . Plate XVI

This is a combination of the Hole and S cratch dial . It is o f not infrequently found with a hole at the end , or on , the

mass line . To the above may be added

1 2 t N . A t h i st n e su r r ded b a com le e o . s le ole n a o ou n y , y p i - ncised circle n o hou r lines or holes bein visible. , g Circles of this kind are not infrequ ently met with on church l l . st eho e walls Where the y is deep and carefully made , such l S . circles may have been _ cratch dials They were probab y painted within , or had marks painted on their circumference . It has been noted that the area contained within these circles is sometimes clean and fresh looking . The lichens that grow freely on the wall do not grow within them . This suggests that the pores of the stone may be blocked with pain t or some such substance . THEIR PO SITION

I T might seem needless to remark that a dial which depends upon the sun for its utility must be placed facing south , and i yet while the vast majority are in th s position , many can be found that face in other directions . It is noticeable that in n di u choosi g a site for a al the maker seems , as a r le , to have taken a very practical view Of th e matter . It is placed nearly always where it would be met with at once by a person ap on pr o achin g the church . The most favourite spot is one of o f r the sides the south doorway , and the ight hand is chosen in preference to the left in a proportion Of more than four to

n e . o But besides the south porch , any part of the wall may

fo r din for . be used the purpose , if it has the requisite han ess

n . a person who is walki g to the church door As a rule , a footpath leads on e directly from the churchyard gate to the i i w a s south porch . When th s is the case , the d al ill be , stated above , by the side Of the entrance . But should the footpath have to pass a part of the church before it reaches the door

' in dial will way , all probability the be found somewhere on n di the route . When for i stance , the gate lea ng from the road o f u Of is at the east end the ch rchyard , the first part the church o ne comes to , in walking towards the south porch , is the south o f i east corner the chancel and if the church possesses a d al , it will usually be found here . Where the reverse arrange ment exists and the entrance to the churchy ard is at the west the i n l ll of build g , if there is a tower at this end the dia wi be

u - o r fo nd on its south west corner , on the same corner of the S nave , should the tower be central . ometimes a church is so o n situated that the entrance porch is the north side , and the south wall is at the back , so to speak . When this is the case l the dia will be found on the first buttress round the corner , 1 4

1 6 Pr im itive S u n Dia ls or S cra tch Dia ls

B u t the di al stones are n o t always to be found o n th e south “ o f ha s so side the church . The res torer who destroyed much that was interesting in o u r ancient buildin gs has n ot

- fi n d spared these mass markers , and we may them used as

— w —in o u t - Of repairing stones , or rebuilt Often upside do n

- n in the the way places . They have been fou d north buttress o f a tower and in the fo rm dation s o f a south porch . Cases o f of occur their being seen on the east end a church , and w i an d i n again under a est w ndow , even w thi the building r itself . Nearly all these t anspositions have taken place in l be comparatively recent times , but here and there a dia may found o u t o f place that has evidently been in its present r l o f position a century o two $ The tota number transposed i w l d als is very small compared ith the whole , and probab y does n o t exceed two in every hundred Of all those at present i ’ i f . ex sting . The number o reversed d als is about the same to The rebuilder , while anxious keep the , old stones in their no t fi nd old positions , infrequently reverses them , and we

S and . r ob abl l the cratch dial still facing south , p y in its origina o f position but upside down . Many examples this treatment can be found throughout the cou ntry . While it is generally easy to see why a dial was put in the position in which it is found , yet when a church possesses a number o f un doubtedly genuine dials it is often difficult to

' fi n a i S d reason for this dupl cation . ome walls have upon or o r S all in them as many as four five even six cratch dials , Not di i . fferent positions , and all seem ngly in working order ’ u n commonly a dial may be foun d by the side of the priest s door into the chancel , as well as one at the south porch . It is obvious that both these had their uses , and we must suppose that both were made to register alike . But besides these , we may often see on e o r two others that are n ot so easy o f ex di planation . It was pointed out above that a al might have been rendered useless through an addition to the church which cut the light away from it . Hence another dial in a

u im new position wo ld be needed . Then again it is not probable that a dial was sometimes thrown o u t Of work by

o ff . the churchyard yew tree which , as it grew , cut the sun The change of approach to the church might be another P late I V

P r b u r u r c o e r se o t y Ch h , S m t

Type I

1 7 Pr im itive S u n Dia ls or S c ra tch Dia ls

reason why a new dial was made in a more convenient place , and even the change Of the hour fo r the chu rch services might render such a thing necessary , for the incised lines could not easily be obliterated or altered . There may also have been dials fo r wi nter and summer time to compensate for the in accuracy caused by instruments constru cted as were these . Yet when we have considered all these reasons , there must still remain uncertainty as to why , in some cases , so many i d als were needed . That many Of these duplications are merely copy dials , as will be explained later , is certain , but some Of these duplicates are too carefully made to be so a fo r ccounted , and their existence must remain somewhat Of a mystery . The average height of these dials above the ground is about 5 2 feet inches . This was within easy reach for the carver to

u do his work witho t the aid o f a ladder or like help . It is u fi n d ncommon to one , in its original position , as much as l seven feet above ground level , and they are rare y as low as l two h . S t ree ome may be found at only s ightly above feet , but we must generally su spect such specimens as having been

reb u ilt in the wall in some remote past . S l In size cratch dia s do not vary much , although perhaps there is a tendency for t hem to be larger in the eastern and

u northern , than in the western co nties . The average length l l S d r u n o f the n o o n lin e is a itt e over four inches . ome ials n o on lin e to seven or eight , and a of ten inches may sometimes

be found . The smallest specimens are about two and a half inches in length , but dials as small as this are rare . The dial shown in Plate XI is of this size . TH E STYL E OR GNOMON

THE gnomon o r style that cast the shadow was a peg that o u t of ri stood at right angles from the face the insc bed stone . n S i As far as is know , no cratch d al has preserved the whole of its style until the present time . In a few instances the shank l in situ may stil be seen , firmly fixed with cement , the rest o f

w The the peg being broken Off level ith the face of the dial. diameter o f o ne o r two o f these shanks that have survived is about half an inch , and the length that they projected from the wall would be a question of the length of the lines by which i they were surrounded . If the d al was quite small , a much shorter style would be necessary than if it was Of some size . b e With regard to material , the shanks remaining appear to hi h made of a fairly hard w te metal . T is is probably latten , o f n an amalgam zi c and copper , much used for dowels and . various purposes in the Middle Ages . Iron was rarely em

n on e two . ployed , although it has been fou d in or instances The few shanks that remain at the present time are often so firmly embedded that they could no t be removed without the f the destruction o the stone in which they are fixed . But of st leho les w majority the y are clean and empty , ithout any o f o f e trace cement , and such a depth that they could hav r held a wooden peg securely . That these gnomons o styles were often made Of wood has been proved by extractin g chips st leholes one from the y , and in instance about an inch and a half of the original oak gnomon was brought to light . There is a common idea that un less the style slopes at an angle that di has a certain relation to the latitude of the place , the al will F o r o f not register correct time . the purpose these ecclesias

- l tical dials , a non sloping gnomon would answer quite as wel n be as one more accurately arranged , and it would certai ly 1 8 Prim itive S u n Dia ls or S cratch Dia ls 1 9

easier for unskilled hands to fix . It is true that there would be a difference between summer and winter time as told by di mi or such a al , but the variation of twenty nutes so would be of little consequence in ages when men did not live by the

- hand Of the clock in the manner in which they do to day . It would probably be even an advantage on account of the light , if the chu rch services were nearly half an hour later in mid o f i winter than they were in Jun e . In some the later d als , l it is not m om m on to fi n d the hours o f 2 and 3 p m . c early i f marked . This may have been also with a view to the d f erence o f seasons . While it might be an advantage to have mass w u half an hour later in inter than in s mmer , the same could n o t o f i i be said an afternoon serv ce , wh ch would be better t earlier than later . Hence the wo lines above referred to may perhaps have been made to compensate for the varying day light . The accuracy with whi ch the style was inserted in the wall must have exercised a considerable influ ence o n the dial . S i — uppos ng the wall to have faced due south , and it is com

arativ el u r p y few churches that are q ite correctly o ientated , if the style was inserted at exactly a right angle with the face o f the stone the time shown by the shadow would be correct r d at certain periods of the year . But if the hole were d ille wi into the stone th an inclination to either side , the shadow must have fallen very inaccurately . Hence it seems that c u t the dial maker first fixed the style in the wall , and then lin es to agree with it . This theory is borne out in numberless i i n o on l n e i . e . i cases where the , the perpend cular l ne imme st lehole c u t o n e diately below the y , is a little either to side r o the other . This may have been caused by the in accuracy o f bu t n in the church wall , the variation can also be fou d cases where the wall faces south with tolerable correctness , and the deviation from the perpendi cular can only be accounted for st lehole v n dl by the y ha i g been bored crooke y into the stone . Hence we may take it as certain that in the great majority o f S di in cases , the cratch al maker first fixed the shadow peg n the wall , and then cut the li es , as it would have been well nigh impossible to make all the due allowances un less this method was followed . 20 Prim itive S u n Dia ls or S cra tch Dia ls

l In on y one case has a duplication o f the stylehole been noticed . At Kin in S the di two gstone Church , omerset , al has st leholes n y side by side . Unfortu ately the stone is so weathered that it is difficult to make out the lines , but it may be (sup posing the extra hole is n ot sim ply the work o f some copyist) that by shifting the shadow peg the dial was made to record di fferently at different periods o f the year . Here and there st leh oles s y may be found loping upwards into the stone , n D i i stead Of enterin g it at a right angle . ials with slop ng i S gnomons are not , strictly speak ng , cratch dials , as has been noted above in the Introduction . One o f the qu estions connected with this subject h as a r i i ce tain human nterest . Who were the makers o f these l ttle di als The manufacture of formal sundials was a profession , and required a certain knowledge of mathematics and perhaps to o o f fo r astronomy , but such learning was hardly necessary

n o f - i the maki g these simple mass markers . It seems qu te improbable that the Scratch dial was the handiwork o f the l professional craftsman who , quite early in the Midd e Ages , was travelling from place to place and working in carved

n . u n wood and stone , vestments and stai ed glass It is not fi n d il common to like designs repeated from village to v lage , $ n d as the ecclesiastical firm , usi g its mo ern name , went its rounds . Much church art in this way became professionalised , di u and in vidualistic effort tended to die o t . There is nothin g about the S cratch dial to suggest that it i v was the work Of a professional . Wh le preser ing a general i if o n e l keness , they d fer widely from another , and no set design can be traced in them . Their extreme simplicity of construction also shows that no professional aid was sought o r needed , and hence we may conjecture that in all proba bilit y they were local work , and they may have been made r i by the sexton o even by the parish priest h mself . It is clear that the majority of these dials were cut by persons who n to were no t much accustomed to use tools . It is ot rare a d find that , when a somewhat hard stone has to be used , vantage is taken o f a joint in a course above in which to insert i f of i . the style . Th s avoids the d f iculty drilling a hole Also for the same reason , vertical joints between the courses are

r im itive n Di r cr tch Dia ls 2 1 P S u a ls o S a .

not infrequently used to save the labour o f cutting hour lines . h T is mu st have been because the dial maker was unable to C ope with a difficulty that could have been overcome easily w by a professional stone worker . The dial sho n in Plate IV is a good example . The hard ness Of the stone is attested by the tool - marks o f the mason who dressed it remain ing sharp

- not and clear until to day , and hence it was an easy one to engrave . The styleh ole has been made at the j unction o f three stones , and advantage has been taken Of other joints ,

y S u o f so that the might serve as hour lin es . bterfuges this

i n u k nd are frequently fou d , and they wo ld seem to betray the work of an amateur . LINES A N D H OL ES

I N endeavouring to read the hours marked on a S cratch di l in a , it should be carefully borne mind , what was explained at some length in the Introduction , that such a dial was not fo r made for telling time but marking a church service , and one hence no very exact time , with exception , can be told i from it . Th s exception is the perpendicular line immediately st lehole i 1 2 under the y wh ch marks noon . If the church wall faces due south , and if the style was inserted in it at a right for angle , the above line will always be noon , the midday sun being at its highest poin t the shadow from the style must be di it — rectly beneath , the two above mentioned conditions fil l . O o u the being ful ed n the left side , as y face dial , is a line l 6 m to no on ine a . . O at exactly a right angle the , denoting n l 6 n n to no on ine m . the right side , the li e at right a gles the is p

l - 6 m . no online o ne Nearly ha f way between the a . and the is that 9 m . i n a . w marks about Th s is the mass li e , hich is constant i for i in nearly every d al , and is alone the line wh ch the dial in i was usually constructed . Dials can be found which th s n o online n and the are the only li es , and careful inspection of a dial that has several others upon its face usually reveals a m arked difference between the mass lin e and all the rest . ’

a m . im o r hi 9 . Tierce , the T rd Hour, was said at , and was mediately followed in great churches and religious houses by l n S ri l . o the p ncipa mass In parish churches a so , mass undays and Holidays was usually at this hour in pre - Reformation u n S i l w to England , and every mutilated cratch d a is a itness l n o n di nin the fact . If the i es the al show Plate VI be examined l n o f f careful y , it will be noticed that the mass li e is dif erent i q uality from the others . It was made at a d fferent time

ff l di f . and with a di erent tool , and probab y by a f erent hand 22 2 3 Pr im itive S u n Dia ls or S cra tch Dia ls

n ot A photograph , however clear , does show the minute detail that can be seen when the lines in the stone are examined with V c u t wi l a magnifying glass . A made th a mal et and chisel , w two and carefully sloped do n from the sides , and lines that are scraped o r scratched into the stone with a sharp poin ted n o t i to t instrument , are d fficult tell apart af er a little ex

ri pe ence . In the former case the line is clear and clean and hi straight throughout its length , w le in the latter the pointed

u instr ment ran round the minute hard particles in the stone , hi and left them standing in the irregular furrow , w le the edges o f the line are rough and jagged . Nearly all the difficulties raised by the variou s writers r e ferred to in S ection II with regard to these primitive dials n o t n i o f being su d als any kind at all , are caused by the failure to notice that many S cratch dials are so mutilated that most o f r o f the lines on them are sp u rious . The same rules inte pretation must be applied to these incised stones that have to be applied to any other ancient document . What was the — — origin al how mu ch is interpolation which parts are by a later on hand , and so , are all questions that must be con i r e s de d before any particular dial can be read correctly .

Examine the specimen shown in Plate X , and it is apparent

~ that the lines on the right hand side , as one looks at it , are f o f dif erent quality from those o n the left . The latter are — — the origin als o r some of them and most of those on the

- right have been added by a later hand . One of the com monest difficulties raised is that a large number Of S cratch in o f dials are the form a complete wheel , and that as the sun can never shine upwards these patterns must be pro $ “ ’ o r o r o f su n tractors , masons marks emblems the ,

and vari ou s other qu aint suggestions . In Plate VII a wheel m d e dial is given , and if it be exa ine it can be s en , even in ri the photograph , that the added lines above the ho zontal e line , as well as several of the others , break and wav r and are

u most irreg lar . The fact is that someone with a little time n to spare , and a k ife in his hand , found what he considered fi an un nished design , and set to work to complete it . He has to l i added numberless spokes the whee , and worse than th s ,

he has gone over the old genuine lines and cut them deeper , 24 Pr im itive S u n Dia ls or S cra tch Dia ls

iff hi of and has made it very d icult for us to tell , at t s length t time , wha belonged to the origin al and what are the additions . B di i i u esides the als that have rad at ng lines , there are q ite m e a re w l n l a large nu b r that made ith holes dril ed i to the wa l , to m f ark the vari ous times . One o these is shown in Plate

XIV . These hole dials are constructed on exactly the same n ‘ pri ciple as those made with lines , and they may consist of on e two o r only or holes to mark the services , there may be o f st leh ole a ring them completely surrounding the central y . i These ring d als are again mutilations , just as are the wheel

di . i als Plate XV is an example of th s mutilation . Two or e r n three holes in an arc appeared to r qui e fi ishing , so the arc was made into a circle . If the depth Of these be tested , the original holes are frequently found to be much deeper than fo r f those added the sake o u niformity . It is probable that these hole di als were intended to take pegs that could be moved from o ne hole to another for denotin g services at different times in the year . Before dismissing the subject of the mutilation of dials there is another k indred matter that must not be lost sight $ of i . , namely what may be called copy d als Beneath a o f genuine dial , and sometimes by the side it , may be seen $ another almost exactly like it . One such copy may be

the . seen to left of the dial , Plate VIII These copies require careful study . They may be dials that have been constructed for use during a different part of the year from that for which n n the other dial was used . This may be k ow by there being — a distinct variation in the lines notably in the position of di . O the mass line n the other hand , such a al may be merely — — a rough copy generally badly and clumsily made o f the i dial near by . As a rule a copy is mmediately below or to a i one side , but rarely bove the true d al , as the latter position S on is most inconvenient for copying . eeing a pattern the did n o t church wall which he understand , the rustic carver

fi rst m utilated it , and if there was a soft and tempting stone

. below it , he then proceeded to make a copy The pocket i diffi kn ife was the instrument usually hand est , and it is not cult to detect a copy S cratch dial that has been made with lin m o r l its help. The es are ore less like the origina , but P l a t e V I

ra o n - o u - th e - F o ss e u r c o r e S t tt Ch h , S m e s t

Typ e 3

THEIR A G E

MO ST o f the writers who have descri bed these primitive dials seem to have assumed that they date from S axon times ;

“ in S other words , that there is no difference between a axon sundial and what is here called a S cratch dial . It will be necessary to show in some detail that the two are quite dis n — o f ti ct , not only in point age , but in design , and in the purpose for which each was made . There is no compari son between such a dial as the well n S Ki Y hi k own axon example at rkdale in orks re , and that in o f S shown Plate VI , which is a fair average specimen a cratch l clock dial . The Inscription on the former te ls us that it is a , o f di i and the whole the day hours , vided into tides accord ng

t . o the then prevailing system , are shown upon its face There are several Other S axon dials of this type in Yorkshire and i elsewhere , which are obviously intended for tell ng the time

church in Gloucestershire be foun d at Saintsbury in the same county (Plate I) and a Pr im itive S u n Dia ls or S cratch Dials 7

i hi in S . t rd omerset , at Lullington church It w ll be observed that all o f them divide the twelve day hours into four All K . tides , exactly as does the great dial at irkdale the S n di axo als that have been examined , however small and s in ignificant , never vary in their design , as far as essentials u go , and that they were intended to act as clocks that wo ld tell the time at all the day hours is obvious to anyone who of or will compare them . It is the losing sight this fact , the

not clearly understanding it , that causes the confusion between

the genuine S axon sundial and the later S cratch dial . The S cratch dial is in reality a section of a formal su ndial adapted

no t - to a special purpose , and hence it is a time teller but a

- o f . mass marker . The proof this statement lies in the fact OIm w w f d . or t o that numbers can be ith only one , perhaps

hour lines , cut upon their face . What possible use could such a dial be as that shown in Plate III for knowing the time o f O t V day r if Pla e III be examined , it will be clear that 9 1 2 2 3 m . . S only the hours , , and p are marked uch dials l would be worth ess as parish clocks , and they cannot be compared with even the simplest and plainest Of those of the S axon age , with their complete record of all the day hours . Hence a proof that S cratch dials are essentially different from S di axon sun als lies in the fact that the former were clocks , di i n v di g the day into four tides , whereas the latter have no i o r o f tide div sions , and frequently mark but one two the early

morning h ours . It should be borne in mind by those who favour the theory S di o f S that cratch als are axon origin , that to be so they must i r have gone through some v cissitudes . F om their original position in a S axon church th ev must have been transferred r to a Norman one . When after a ce tain lapse of years this i i build ng needed restorat on , they would have been removed i o f i aga n and built into churches the Perpend cular style . Now it is well - nigh incredible that stones with these poor little s cratched dials should have been saved up in this way , and carried over from one building to another through so many centuries . It frequently happens that the dials in question are c u t n in a man er that involves three , and sometimes four sto nes in r their const uction , and it certainly adds to the diffi culty 28 Pr im itive S u n Dia ls or S cra tch Dials to suppose that all these stones were carefully treasured u p and built together again in each successive church . But it is sometimes possible to fi n d a dial so situated as to betray its date fairly accurately . O ’ S ver the priest s door at Bridge ollers church , Hereford

i S di . sh re , is a cratch al Of but four lines The door is in the i to Early Pointed style , and the d al is constructed so as need for the n o on lin e the joint between the two stones that form f the O . i wn apex the . arch Th s dial and doorway are sho in a n Plate II , and it is clear th t the li es were cut at some time fo r after the doorway was made , the shape of the stones makes in it impossible that they could have existed in an earlier build g , and have been worked up mto their present position . Many other examples could be given where S cratch dials are found upon stones which cannot possibly have been in buildings l ear ier than the XIV century , and some not earlier than a century later . A o S gain , we may g back to an earlier style , and see a cratch do S dial let into decorated Norman work , as we at toven church in S uffolk o r at Aller church in S omerset . It may n t o ld h o be as as the stone on w ich it is cut , but at least it i cannot be any Older . To imag ne that the Norman carver , o u t o f reverence for a dial made by the Saxons (for whom he h i l never appears to have had much respect) , selected t is d a stone o u t o f which to make a decorated capital for his door _ way seems carr yin g devotion to a theory beyond what is reasonable . That incised stones were often handed down from one l building to another is undoubted y true , but it should be borne in mind that altogether fresh stones would be em ployed in making an addition to an existin g building . Thus do di P er en when we see , as we so often , the ad tion Of a p dic u lar o f porch to a church an earlier style , we may reasonably

in . conclude that most , if not all , the stones used it were new Yet i S at the entrance to these Perpend cular porches , cratch i on i d als exist quite commonly . The stones wh ch they are in cised do not differ from those used in the rest Of the c on to i o f struction , and hence it is fair assume that the d al is

the same date as the porch upon which it is cut . It is not P l at e V I I

E a s P e n n a r d u rc o e r s t Ch h , S m e t

Typ e 4

29 Prim itive S u n Dia ls or S cr a tch Dials

u f ncommon to fin d a S cr atch dial by the side o the inner door , of as has been said , and it certainly looks as if the builders

the later porch , seeing that they had rendered it useless , made a new one at the outer entrance to take its place . Plate V o f the shows a dial of quite primitive form , by the side inner t S . door within the porch of Brewham church , and Pla e IX

w on e on o f sho s the the outside the porch , made to take the o f place the former . It n o w remains to make some suggestions as to the pro

bable date when these S cratch dials were constructed . F o r i a rough guide , we may not be far wrong in say ng that the S cratch dial was first used after the Saxon sundial had o u t f gone o vogue and before the clock came into common use . There were two causes that brou ght about the destru ction o f

S axon dials . The first was the change o f style in church

building that followed from the Norman Conquest . The small S axon buildings must have been largely superseded all o f o ver the country by churches the newer type . and with the change o r restoration the majority o f old dials wo u ld have

ou t on . been destroyed , as they were immediately the stone And secondly the system of dividing the day into four tides f o u t o three hours each was of date , and a new method of n S reckoni g time was being adopted . Hence the axon dials h o f . were use no longer Again , if a c urch possessed a clock , it would scarcely resort to so simple and cru de a method of

regulating its services as that provided by a S cratch dial . We know fairly well at abou t what date church clocks first i appeared . The Bened ctine monks at Westminster had a 2 8 u c lock in 1 8 , and their Canterb ry brethren , not wishing to ’

2 . m one 1 29 . S t be behind the , had in The Alban s community 1 32 6 followed with another in , and the great clock at Glaston

o f b ury , portions which are still in going order , prove that

time - keeping with an instrument was fairly com mon b V the r begin ning o f the XIV centu ry . Many more o f o u parish

c hurches than is generally supposed had set up clocks from i quite an early date . Th s can be gathered from church ’ u fo r wardens accounts , where o tlay repairs to clocks , ropes

and weights can be found recorded . If therefore we place the reign of the S cratch dial between 30 Pr im itive S u n Dia ls or S cra tch Dia ls the i period denoted by the extinction o f the Saxon sund al , o f and the introduction clocks , we shall probably not be far r l w ong . The duration o f such a period will probab y vary i f dl S l considerably in d f erent places , for undoubte y a axon dia was saved here and there , as their present existence proves , and certain parishes may have been too poor to provide themselves with the luxury of a clock ; but taken as a general di w l rule , the period above in cated will give , ith tolerab e

S . accuracy , the age of the cratch dial

3 2 Pr im itive S u n Dia ls or S cratch Dia ls

t vary a good deal according o the way the wall is built , facing du e r two south o failing to . Hence unless these factors are n w — o f o f k o n the angle the style , and the orientation the — “ church the lin es o n a dial cannot be interpreted with ao curacy . But they can be read sufficiently to show that a line correspondin g with the position o f the figure VIII on a

9 - a . m . clock face , will be In most churches in pre Reformation days thi s was the usual hour for mass on Sundays and Holi 1 days .

m . 9 a . di But besides this line , many als contain several others . The perpendi cular or n o online is present in some o r ever v i l form other in d a that has been examined , and it fi n d is difficult to any good reason why it is so constant . It has been suggested that it marked the time for the midday A n elu s i g bell , but th s almost certainly could not have been n . A n elu s its use The midday g is quite a late developme t , and large numbers o f these dials must have been cut some ri centu es before this devotion became general . It is there ’ fore improbable that the n o on lin e marked the 1 2 o clock Ave o n bell any but a very few o f the latest dials . One o f the earliest accounts o f the A ngelu s that we have 1 3 3 1 w S o f A . D . is from the tatutes Wells Cathedral , , hich direct that three strokes should be struck at three several $ times upon the great bell in quick succession , and this shortly A ve before curfew . This evening was said throughout Europe of I V as early as the first half the $ century , and it would

u us ally be rung after sunset . This fact seems conclusive S di against the later hours , often found on cratch als , being to A n ela s used time the evening g , as the sun would not have been shining when it was rung . t i m . ou Many dials have a 6 a . line very d stinctly , and it may b e that in some parts o f the year this line acted as a A n elu s guide for ringing the early morning g , but it is merely theory , and there are no facts that can guide us in the matter . o ne The morning A ve was introduced next after the evening , and it was said throughout at least one o f the centuries that

1 F r a ther s Lon . 1 853 . 146 o t m es for ass c . R ock Chu r ch o ou r F , d , , p ; i m , f . f

Med e va S erv ces in En and, o v l . l W worth Ar chaeol ia o x v a e 6 1 hr . or s g , , p g 5 C d , i l i gl

n . 1 98 . 63 Lo d , 8 , p . Pr im itive S u n Dia ls or S cra tch D ia ls 3 3

fi nd A l the Scratch dial was in use . We rchbishop Arunde o rderin g it to be run g in England in the year Other lines which are fairly constant on dials are those that 2 o r 3 m fall about p . Here we are on surer ground than when s for peculating about the A ngelu s. The usual time vespers u o f — wo ld have been in the early hours the afternoon , the exact time being probably earlier in winter than in the summer .

o f - o f In spite , therefore , the ill treatment so many these prim itive dials have suffered at the hands o f the idle boy with n in - o f fre a k ife , spite the church restorer who has tried so q uently either to fill the lines with cem ent or obliterate them w o f r in ith a scraper , in spite too some centu ies of w d and vi storm , enough e dence exists to show conclusively that the o riginal object of the S cratch dial was to mark the ho u r for

. An d mass if it had a further use , it was probably to tell for to the hour vespers as well , but that with regard denoting fo r o f A n elu s the time any the three g bells , the likelihood that ffi such was its o ce is extremely slight .

1 hr W r sw r h Medioeva l S er v ces in En a d C . o o t n Lon n 8 0. d , i gl , do , 1 89 , p . 6 C ON OLU SI ON

I N conclusion it m ay be asked whether this sub ject is worth di l the time and trouble expended on it , for the a s are unin terestin g as works of art and insignificant in themselves .

While q uite adm itting that they are not of fi rst- class im t di por ance , yet , as they have never been stu ed and collected r n before , what has been done will prevent them disappea i g n from history altogether . S ome thousa ds must have been h h th e h i destroyed already t roug out country , bot by t me and l h h s i ch u rch restorers , and probab y about alf of t o e now exist ng h will have vanis ed before another fifty years have passed . An d there is a cert ain human interest attachin g to them as l r well . Village ife in the Middle Ages revolved round the pa ish s church to a very great extent , and its feasts and service fixed the date and set the time for things temporal as well as r spi itual . In most country places the church services were S i undoubtedly regulated by these cratch d als , and so from this point of View they played a not unimpor tant part in their o day . They are few and feeble now , for the winds and st rms r o u t o f five o r six centuries have nearly wo n them , but the remnant seemed worth saving for the sake of the story that they tell . P l at e V I I I

L a a u r c o er my t Ch h , S m se t

Typ e 5a

3 8 Prim itive S u n Dia ls or S cra tch Dia ls

EAST BRE NT CHURCH f 2 i i 8 . o u r . n Th s d al is on the side the ch ch , o the first 4 buttress from the E . end . It is feet 3s inches from the n o f n o online 6 grou d , the length the is inches and the style 1 1 ° n . s . 0 hole is i ch in depth The aspect is by E . Type 3 . S 5th 1 9 1 1 eptember , . i n n The conta ni g circle is fai t and irregular .

CHEDDAR CHURCH

’ 3 i on . n W of This d al is a buttress o the . side the priest s s 6 4 li . i n o on ne door It feet inches from the ground , the is 4 in st lehole 2 3 inches length , and the y is more than inches f o di s. in depth by g an inch in ameter . The aspect is by ° 5 2 9t 1 9 1 1 1 0 0 . h . E . Type August , The chantry by the side of this dial projects so far that it m ust cut o ff all the light after the early morning hours .

CON GR E S R U R Y CHURCH f 4 1 i on . o . ( ) This d al is situated the E side the entrance 4 4 n to the S . porch . It is about feet i ches from the ground , 1 n o online 5 in st lehole fil the is inches length , and the y is led °

3 . 3 . W s . up . The aspect is by Type 3 5 2 1 2 1 s 3 n . ( ) About inches below the above a circle i ches

st leh le - in diameter . The y o is filled up and no hour lines or 1 2 S ee . . holes are marked . No 1 t leh le 6 3 o f . s o . ( ) To the right No is a y and a doubtful 1 2 8th 1 9 1 1 S ee . . S . circle . No eptember ,

HUTTON CHURCH

’ l n f r 7 i o . o . . Th s dia is the E side the p iest s door It is 1 1 n 4 i in 2 feet inches from the grou d , about % nches diameter l h le and the sty e o is small and very shallow . The aspect is ° 56 / 1 4 1 1 . th 9 1 0 . a 3 M . S . by E Type j , The stone on which this dial is cut forms part o f the mouldin g roun d the doorway , and at a somewhat recent restoration

- f it has been re set upside down . A great part o this moulding Primitive S u n Dia ls or S cratch Dia ls 39 appears to have been transferred from o n e side to the other rin in n du g the rebuild g , and this accou ts for the dial stone bein g reversed . 8 o f . A second imperfect dial is on the W . side the door m 2 . way . The lines are about % inches in length It is uch ou t about and mutilated .

LYMP SHA M CHURCH

f . 9 . O n the first buttress to the E . o the S porch is a circle

- 1 1 1 t l l r 5 9 . s eho e o . S without y lines eptember th ,

PU$ TON CHURCH 1 0. i . This d al is on the N buttress of the tower , which is W 3 8 at the . end of the church . It is feet inches from the 9 in i st leh ole ground , the circle is inches d ameter , and the y is 1 2 S ee . N . W open and shallow . The aspect is . No . 8th 1 9 1 1 S . eptember , The stone on which this dial is ou t has been brought from

o f . some other part the church , and used to repair the buttress

It appears to be very ancient and is much worn .

UP HILL CHURCH (Old) 1 1 1 . ( ) The dial is above the Norman window in the tower

u o f this r ined church .

2 2 . 1 . ( ) This dial is above the S doorway .

WEARE CHURCH 1 1 hi . 3 . ( ) T s dial is on the S side of the buttress which is 6 8 W o f . at the . corner the tower It is feet inches above the no onh o le 6 ground , the is distant from the style inches , and 2 ° t leh l u s . 0 . 9 . the s y o e is filled p . The aspect is by E Type S 7th 1 9 1 1 eptember , . hi 1 3 — T s dial is composed of holes arranged in a semi circle . 1 4 2 ’ . ( ) On the W . side of the priest s door is a doubtful

d . 3 3 4 ial It is feet inches above the ground , the circle is % s st lehole n in inche in diameter , and the y i of an i ch diameter . hi di . T s al , if it be one , has neither lines nor holes 40 P rim itive S u n Dia ls or S cratc h Dia ls

WI CK S T . LAWRENCE

1 5 1 i i on t m W . of . ( ) Th s d al is the first but ress fro the end 5 9 n the un t e . the h s . aisle It is feet i ches above gro d , noon 2 in st lehole line i inches length , and the y open and very 2 ° w . 0 5 . 0 . shallo . The aspect is S by E Type S 1 1 th 1 9 1 1 eptember , . 1 6 2 i n . o 8 . o f ( ) Th s dial is the side a buttress at the W.

. 4 v n end of the church It is feet abo e the grou d , the noon li 3 st l ne is 1 inches in length , and the y ehole is filled up with

. A 4 hard mortar spect as above . Type . 1 7 ’ . ( 3) On a buttress to the E o f the priest s door is a l m i doubtfu dial , in the second course upwards fro the pl nth .

5 n i m st lehole The circle is % i ches in d a eter and the y is filled .

- i l A This dial has no hour l nes visib e . spect as above .

WRI NGTON CHUR CH

1 8 . hi l l f T s doubtfu dia is cut on the buttress to the E . o 6 s . . 5 m 7 the porch It is feet inches fro the ground , inches

di m t the st lehole 1 - n in in a e er , y is 3 of an i ch depth and an i di S 2 ee No . 1 . nch in ameter . The aspect is due S . 5th 1 9 1 1 S m . epte ber ,

This is a perfectly plain circle and has neither hour- lin es l l l . e , nor holes Th re are , however three doubtfu itt e marks i l c m 3 4 5 m . o cutting the circle at , and p Th s circ e may be

pared with that at High Ham Church .

BATH DISTR ICT hi i 22 7 T s d strict contain s parish churches , and of these ,

8 i 3 of i tfu l. churches have d als between them , wh ch are doub The churches with dials are

Claverton 1 Dun kerton 1 * li c m b * En g sh o e . l Hinton Charterhou se 1 1 *

The churches at Holloway (Bath ) and Charlcombe cann ot be

- o n o f . thoroughly examined account creepers , notice boards , etc P l a te I $

o u h B r ew a u r c S t h m Ch h , S o m e r se t

Typ e 51)

P r im itive S u n D ia ls or S cra tch Dia ls 4 1

CLAVERTON CHURCH

9 on 1 . 2 3rd 1 9 1 3 This dial , when first seen on July , , was n w n . a quoi , upside do in the foundations of the S porch , on 1 9 1 4 t o f the its eastern side . In it was removed o the face n . f . o n . o S porch , the E side the doorway When in its origi al 1 6 now position it was inches above the ground , it is about 7 n o onlin e 4 st lehole feet . The is inches in length , the y 3 in o f n 3; inches depth by g an inch in diameter , its origi al

5c 2 3r 1 9 1 3 . . . . d aspect was due E and is now S Type July , The discovery o f this dial led to its bein g removed from its n W ignomi ious position , and to its being placed here it prob $ o f ably was originally , before some fairly late restoration

u the porch had consigned it to the fo ndations .

DUNKERTON CHURCH

W 0 11 S . . o f 20. O n the buttress of the tower , the E side it , o f 1 0 1 2 e at a height about or feet from the ground , is a ston used for repairing that appears to have a dial upon it . It t leh le s o . is upside down , and the y is open There are about

3 . five lines ending in dents , about 5 inches in size It is out 1 7 1 1 f di . 9 3 . o reach , and is altogether a doubtful al April th ,

E N GLI S HCOMB E CHURCH

O W o f . 2 1 . n the . buttress the S transept there is what 6 6 n seems to be a dial . It is feet i ches above the ground , 3 n st lehole the n o onlin e is about i ches in length , and the y , u which is small and shallow , is abo t an inch in depth and 1 0° f% of an inch in diameter . The aspect is S . by E . n 3rd 1 9 1 3 . Ju e , n n m The dial is fai t , the li es weak , and it is a so ewhat doubt i e ful one , as it is d fficult to see how the central hole could hav h held a style . There is a good deal of ivy on the church whic prevents a thorough examination of the walls being made .

HI NTON CHARTERHOUSE di 22 1 . . ( ) This unsatisfactory al is on the E side of the ’ f 2 9 o m . priest s door , at a height feet inches fro the ground 4 2 Pr im itive S u n Dia ls or S cra tc h Dia ls

2 st leho le in The n o o n line is 3 inches in length , the y was a °

n o t S . 8 E . 2 . join t and does how , and the aspect is S by Typ e 1 7 1 9 1 u 3 . J ne th , to 2 2 . 3 . ( ) Above this dial is what appears be another

a . m n S . The n o on line and an . li e how It is impossible to see

a st leh ole i . y , and hence the d al is a very doubtful one

LANGRIDGE CHURCH

24 i n i . o f . . Th s d al is on a quoi stone at the E end the s aisle . 3 9 n n n o online It is feet i ches from the grou d , the is about 5 st lehole hi in inches in length , the y , w ch is a joint , is filled with 1 ° h s . 8 50 ard cement , and the aspect is by E . Type . u 1 1 th 1 9 1 3 J ne , . lin M . f hi The es on the P . side o t s dial are much fainter and

n o t so ou t on A M . well as those the side , and look like a much

later addition . S WAI NSWI CK CHURCH

5 hi o n n . . 2 . T s dial is a quoi stone at the E end of the nave 5 6 n v n o on lin e 2 It is feet i ches abo e the ground , the is % inches in st lehole 1 n o f length , the y is i ch deep and g an inch in ° 6 1 0 . . di . ameter , and the aspect is S by E Typ e n 1 1 th 1 9 1 3 Ju e , . The shank o f the style is probably still embedded in the At n n 224 t dial . the churches at Ti ti hull ( ) and at Mar ock

(201 ) are other dials of this curious pattern . They are the

only three of this typ e in the county .

W ELL ow CHURCH f 2 6 i di on S W . o . Th s al is the face the angle buttress at 5 6 n the E . end of the S . aisle . It is feet i ches above the ground , nlin e 3 st lehole the n o o is about g inches in length , the y large °

W 3 . 1 0 . W . S . a n d somewhat broken , and the aspect is by Type 1 9 1 1 25th . August ,

W . On accoun t of the di al being cut on a stone facing S . the m l lin es vary considerably from the normal . Roman nu era s l n h ave been cut at the ends o f the i es by a later hand , but if they are correct they can only have been arr ived at by r e n a on of placi g style and observing the shadows , account t h e abnormality mentioned above .

44 Primitive S u n Dia ls or S cra tch Dia ls

LITTON CHURCH 1 3 . 1 i i f on W . o ( ) - Th s d al is on a buttress the side the

» . . 7 n o online 2 S porch It is feet from the ground , the is L i l st leh o le the nches in ength , the y is inches deep , and aspect °

s. 45 is by E . Typ e 50 . 32 . 2 i is . o f ( ) Th s dial on the E side the S . porch . It is 4 6 n no onlin e 3 feet inches above the grou d , the is inches in l st lehole l in ength , the y is é inches depth , and the aspect is 8 .

5c . A 1 2 1 1 1 9 . Type ugust th , The first o f the above dials may no t be in its original posi on tion an angle buttress , but may have been built in at a

'

- restoration . It has certainly been considerably r e cut and added to . The second dial is on a friable stone and is much worn .

NEMP NETT THRUB WELL CHURCH 3 i 3 . h i l on . f o s . 3 T s d a is the E side the porch . It is feet 8 u n o on line n inches above the gro nd , the is about i ches ln t st leh ole 2 1 di leng h , the y is inches deep and inch in ameter , 1 0° 4 . 5th 1 9 1 an d . . 3 the aspect is S by E Type August , . on i i The stone wh ch this d al is cut is soft , and so badly worn in n by time that the l es are nearly i visible . Probably in a t few years nothing will remain except the s yleh ole .

R A D STOCK CHURCH

f . . 5 i di on . o t 34 . Th s al is the E side the S porch It is fee n o online 1 0 the above the ground , the is inches in length , hi in n l st lehole . y , w ch is a j oi t , is fil ed , and the aspect is S by ° 2 r 1 1 1 3 d 9 3 . 1 7 . . E Typ e May , in o f hi i l 5 w the The l es t s d a are about inches in length , ith

of the n oonline hi te . exception , w ch is as above sta d Prob lin n to fo r s ably this e has bee added amusement , as there doe not seem to be any reason for its abnormal length .

S TOWEY CHUR CH

1 i l on - 35 . ( ) This d a is the window Sill splay nearest the 5 e f . t W on 8 . o m h . end, the side the church It is feet fro 6 n st lehole is groun d, the diameter Of the circle is i ches , the y Pr im itive S u n Dia ls or S cra tch Dia ls 45

1 di % inches deep by an inch in ameter , and the aspect is °

1 0 1 2 1 2 1 9 1 2 . s . . S ee . . by E No January th ,

3 6 2 . . ( ) This dial is on the corner o f the chancel It 8 8 no onlin e 3 is feet inches above the ground , the is inches in st leho le in n length , the y , which is a joi t , is filled , and the ° 1 6 5 2 l 6th 1 9 . aspect is S . by E . Type . Ju y , D 1 No . on e ial , if it be , is merely a double ring , with gof an

- No n l n . i ch between the circ es , on the slope of the wi dow sill n lines or marks show , but it is possible it may once have bee l painted . The sty ehole is very clean and deep .

U R L E Y CHURCH

37 of i . . f Th s dial is on the W . side o a door on the S side 5 1 the church . It is feet inch above the ground , the noon 4 st leh o le line is % inches in length , the y is filled up , and the °

2 1 2 1 9 1 . . 0 . 3 . aspect is S by E Type August th , 1 This simple and primitive dial appears to mark the hou rs 8 9 1 0 1 1 a . m . n , , , and noo , and all the lines would seem to be

. n o f i original The hard ess the stone , as w tnessed to by the

t - n n ool marks remaini g , has prevented the dial from bei g

mutilated .

FROME DISTRICT

2 8 of 1 2 This district contains parish churches , and these , 22 4 o f hi churches have dials between them , w ch are doubtful . The churches with dials are

i —* l k h t Bec ington Norton S . Philip i — Buckland Dinham b Road l— Great Elm P Tellisford ‘—* Farleigh Hu ngerford l 1 Wanstrow ‘— Ki lmersdon P Whatley ‘— Lullin gton P Woolverton

BECKI NGTON CHURCH 38 1 hi . ( ) T s dial is on the angle buttress on the E . o f the

s. . 7 7 u n li porch It is feet inches from the gro nd , the o on ne 5 st lehole is inches in length , the y 2 of an inch in depth and b 40° . . v e 3 . 5 an inch in diameter , and the aspect is S V W T p 46 Pr im itive S u n Dia ls or S cra tc h Dia ls

3 1 0 O f s . 9 2 . o 3 . ( ) n the E side the porch is a dial feet inches n o f no onlin e 2 above the grou d , the length the is 5 inches , and the styleh o le is so small and shallow that it is doubtful whether tw i o . this is a di al at all . It conta ns only lines 1 8t 1 9 1 l h 3 . Ju y , 1 7 n NO . i The other li es on are each nches in length , and they seem to be cut to allow for the position of the dial on an

S . W angle buttress , as it faces nearly

BUCKLAND D rNHA M CHURCH 40 i di . on E . 4 Th s al is the side of the S . porch . It is feet 2 n no onlin e 4 i ches above the ground , the is 5inches in length , i st lehole o f T 2 the y is t; an inch deep , and the aspect is S . ype . 1 4 1 9 1 3 April th , . i i Th s d al is on soft stone and most indistin ct . There appear t hi o o f lin . i hi h be dots at the ends the es Besides t s d al , w c is

u o n e r . O a somewhat doubtf l , there are th ee others near it ne 6 6 hi is inches above , the next is inches below , and the t rd is 24 All i n . o f i inches below it agai three these d als are al ke , and they consist o f a few radiatin g lines which are very S hort . st leho le l There is no y , but the ines are in each case just below

the . . O W a j oint , where it is possible one may have been n Side o f the porch there is another of these doubtful dials Of exactly the same pattern . They are perhaps all merely copy dials . GREAT E LM CHURCH W hi i . 4 1 . T s d al is between the tower at the end and the 4 6 fir st window of the nave . It is feet inches above the n 7 n in st lehole of grou d , i ches diameter , the y is an inch deep , 1 ° 1 1 9 1 2 0 4 8th . s . . . and the aspect is by E Typ e July , i This d al has been made into a wheel , but it appears to have w i been done ith deliberation , as the added l nes are as good i n ri in quality as the original . The adjo ni g pa shes of Whatley di i and West Cranmore have had their als treated in a l ke way , and it is possible the method was used as a means o f o bliter All ating a distasteful object . three mutilations may be the

viz . work of the same hand , for the method is the same , to m atch the origin al lin es and dots with great care . P late X

u r c o e r se B alt o n sb o r o u gh Ch h , S m t

Typ e 50

P rim itive S u n Dia ls or S cratch Dials 47

FARLEI GH HUNGERFORD CHURCH

42 1 o f . . ( ) This dial is on a qu oin at the E . end the nave 3 6 d n oonlin e It is feet inches above the groun , the is st lehole inches in length , the y is g Of an inch deep and rather 2 2 ° 4 small . The aspect is s . by E . Type . 43 2 O o f w n . ( ) n the E . side the first chancel i dow from the 7 3 in c es is l 4 W . h n , at a height of feet , a plai circ e 2 inches in

st l h le . diameter . It has a very shallow y e o There are no

l y u . marks or ines , and it is an extremel doubtf l dial 1 1 u 1 7 9 3 . J ne th , D 1 i n . v ial No was completely covered with y when fou d , and is being seriously damaged by it .

KI LMERSDON CHURCH

44 . E . This dial is under the first window of the tower . It 6 9 u noon line 5 is feet inches above the gro nd , the is % inches st lehole 2 in length , the y , which is in a joint , is 3 inches in 2 8 . . . depth , and the aspect is due Type Plate III 5 December th , i l o ne Th s very primitive dia consists of two lines only , at li e no on n . about 9 a . m . and the The lines are cut on a hard

o t . st ne , but hey are shallow , and unless the sun is at an angle ,

i to . i . e . well past midday , they are d fficult see The lines are n o u carefully cut , and there can be doubt as to the gen ineness of this dial .

LULLI NGTON CHURCH

s m . W . the 45 s . . This dial is on a quoin at the co er of 8 6 transept . It is feet inches above the ground , the noon i st leh ole h line is 5 inches n length , the y (w ich is out of reach) 5 ° 1 i m s. . is about inch in d a eter , and the aspect is by E Type , 1 d . . 8 th 1 9 1 S 3 . that o f the sm aller axon ials Plate I July , i S one This interest ng dial is probably a axon , and is the only one of the kind in the c o rm ty . The transept into which a o the stone has been built was made only a few years g , and l hence the dial is not in its origina position . P r im itive S u n D ia ls or S cra tc h Dia ls

T I I P NORTON S . PH L CHURCH

6 f . . 46 on . o . This dial is the E side the S porch It is feet n o onlin e 3 7 inches from the ground , the is inches in length ,

t l h le 2 of n in i the s y e o is gf inches deep by 72 an i ch d ameter , and ° 1 7 1 9 1 1 3 th 3 . 5 . the aspect is S . by E . Typ e June , i di l on This is a particularly poor d al , and has copy a s cut o f each side it .

ROAD CHURCH

47 . 1 h f l S E . o ( ) T is dial is on the corner the chance , at a o f 5 5 u noonline height feet inches from the gro nd . The is 4 st lehole 1 % inches in length , the y is inch deep by gof an inch ° in 1 0 s . diameter , and the aspect is by W 48 2 . W . . ( ) On the S . corner of the S aisle is a doubtful

di . st leh o le u al It consists of a y only , witho t other marks , at 1 4 6 A 1 6 1 9 5 . a height of feet inches from the ground . pril th , 1 2 f . on NO . o NO Dial is poor construction , and is a stone which is so badly weatherworn that it is a very doubtful one .

TELLISFORD CHURCH

4 1 i w . . . 9 . ( ) This d al is on the side of the S porch It is 4 8 no onlin e 2 n in feet inches above the ground , the is i ches st leh ole of n length , the y is 3 an i ch in depth , and the aspect 5 ° 3 is S . by E . Type . 2 50 f . . i W . o . ( ) This d al is on the side the S porch It is 3 8 n u n oon line 4 feet i ches above the gro nd , the is % inches in st leho le length , the y is of an inch in depth , and the aspect 1 ‘ 4 is the same as No . . Type . 5 1 . 3 hi . on . . ( ) T s dial is , the E side of the S porch It is 5 8 n o onlin e 3 n feet inches above the ground , the is si ches in st leho le length , the y is filled up , and the aspect is the same 1 . . 4 . 1 1 1 7th 9 3 . as No Type June ,

D . 1 - a ial No is probably in its primitive state , and is good o f . 2 example a mass dial NO . has been much mutilated n . No 3 and made i to a wheel . appears to have had many dif to lines added to it , and it is ficult say which are the origin al .

50 P r im itive S u n Dia ls or S cra tch Dia ls

Of 4 i o n on . 5 7 . ( ) Th s dial is a quoin the E side the first 5 n win dow to the E . of the S . porch . It is feet above the grou d , 2 st leho le 2 the n o onlin e is } inches in length , the y is 2 inches 20° . . 3 deep and much worn , and the aspect is S by E Type .

5 i S E . . 5 8 . ( ) This d al is on the corner of the nave at a height T e o f 5 feet 3 inches from the plin th . h n o onlin e is 6% inches st leh ole 2 1 in length , the y is % inches deep by § inches in 20° . 4 diameter , and the aspect is S by E . Type . 5 6 i 9 . m 1 ( ) _ This d al is situated the sa e as the last named

1 1 w . n o onlin e 6 in foot inches lower do n The is inches length , st leh ole 2 1 i the y is inches deep by % inches in d ameter , and 5 N . 4 1 1 1 O . 8 . th 9 3 . the aspect is the same as Type July , line 1 NO n o on . th e shows in dial No , unless it be joint in 2 the stone . The other lines are very indistinct . In dial No . n oonline one the and other in the usual mass line position , are fairly visible . This is probably the most ancient dial Of 3 D . the five . ial NO is poor , and has been considerably added to . Being on an angle buttress its aspect is S . E . , but all the lines are now so mutilated that it is impossible to say what 4 is correction was made for this abnormal position . No . 5 6 i . . o f the ord nary type , but much worn Nos and present

f . some di ficulties The upper dial is probably the original . two and the below it are merely copies , although some care has evidently been taken in making the larger of the two . It should be noted that the stone is a particularly tempting to fi rm o f piece cut , being a fine grained , piece sandstone that lends itself easily to the knife .

KEYNS HAM DISTRICT

i r 1 4 of 7 This d st ict contains parish churches , and these ,

9 i on e of . churches contain d als between them , which is doubtful The ch u rches with dials are Compton Dando 1 North Stoke Corston 2 S tanton Pri or * Keyn sham 1 Whitchurch e 1 Le . Newton S t . The churches at Priston and $ueen Charlton are so covered n with creepers that they can ot be thoroughly examin ed . Prim itive S i m Dia ls or S cra tc h Dia ls 5 1

COMP TON DANDO CHURCH f 60 i . o . W This dial is on the . side of the first w ndow E

. 3 6 n the S porch . It is feet inches above the pli th (a deep no onlin e s area surrounds the church) , the is i inches in length , st leh ole I the y is i inches deep by is an inch in diameter , and ° 1 1 9 3 . 4 . 3rd 30 . the aspect is S . by E Type July ,

This very clear dial contains several additional lines . There

m . is what appears to be a deliberate hole at the end Of the 9 a . lehole the o f n o online . st line , and also at end the The y is

- clear cut and good .

CORSTON CHURCH

1 1 hi . 6 . ( ) T s dial is on a buttress at the E end of the

o f 4 2 . chancel , at a height feet inches above the ground The no on lin e 5 st lehole » in is inches in length , the y 17 of an inch 1 0° 3 depth , and the aspect S . by E . Type .

1» 62 2 i u the . last 1 0 . ( ) This d al is sit ated as named , but 2 line 4 i . n o on inches h gher up The is inches in length , the st leh o le o f y is 3 an inch in depth , and the aspect the same as

5a . 25 1 9 1 th 3 . the above . Type June , 2 i . Both these d als are particularly poor and faint , and No is badly made as well .

KEYNSHAM CHURCH

6 i W 3 . There is a doubtful d al on the buttress to the . of t leh le . s o the S . porch There is also what may be a y in the buttress to the E . of the S . porch . All the stone is badly 3r 1 1 d 9 3 . weathered . July ,

N S T LOE NEWTO . CHURCH f 4 i i . o . 6 . W 5 Th s d al is on the side the S porch . It is feet 3— 7 é inches above the ground , the containing circle is g inches d st leh o le 3 in iameter , the y is inches deep , and the aspect is ° i i 4 S 2 8 . 1 0 . l t 1 1 1 . h 9 S by E Type , comb n ng eptember , .

li b u t This dial has had some extra nes added to it , it is fairly perfect . It is just possible the stone containin g it has 52 Prim itive tS i m Dia ls or S cra tch Dia ls

re - set the f i been , as mor tar differs from that o adjoin ng sto nes . — — The diam eter Of the ring H inches is exactly that of the i l on S Chu r ch in ri . d a tanton Prior , the next pa sh

NORTH S TOKE CHU RCH 65 T . his dial f . . is o n the E . buttress o the S porch It is

5, 5 n n n o onlin e 4 feet i ches above the grou d , the is g inches in le st leho le was 1 a ngth , the y originally } inches deep , nd °

e is s . 20 3 . t 1 1 t W . S h the asp ct by Type ep ember , i i in roc S Th s d al is described at some length the P . am . Arc h. S oc . xxxrv 50 1 2 7 . i . r ll , , pp and The w ter ca s it $ S i o f axon , but although the porch is ev dently great age , e r n or i div t it is lat r than No man , is the d al ided according o t e S e r h axon m tho d . The e are many more dials o f the same in n on type the cou ty , and as they are frequently late Per i end c u lar l- 26 see W e NO . n o t e p work ( low , ) they are Old r than T l ' . he st eho le o f hi i adl u d b u t that period y t s d al is b y inj re , e o i S ri i n ugh rema ns to how its o g nal shape .

S TANTON PRI O R CHUR CH 66 Thi ia o n W . on s d l is the first buttress from the end ,

i 5 . i r f the 8 . s de . It is feet above the ground The d amete o 7 o f n the outer circle is 2 inches , the next circle 2 an i ch less . hi n r one Inside t s , a circle 3 Of an i ch less , and the inne most 5 l i I i . The st eho le s n T; of an nch less y E} i ches deep , and a in The portion o f the style seems to be remaining it . aspect ° 1 8 e 1 1 1 1 1 0 . . S th 9 is s. . by E Type ept mber , f n This is one o the most beautiful dials in the county . U fortunately the lower edge is broken away and roughly re d w in is i paire ith mortar , and the ivy grow g over it do ng o f further damage . The diameter the outer circle is the same l —7 ' Lee i . B as that of the dia at Newt on St. g nches oth dials of dia in appear to be the work the same hand , but the l i fin s q uestion is much more h ghly i hed than its neighbour .

WHI TCHU RCH (or FE LTON) CHU RCH f 1 is on W . s o . . 67 . (I) Th dial is the buttre s the S porch It 7 n u di of the n is 4 feet i ches above the gro nd , the stance noo P l at e $ I

in in u ll u r c o e r T t h Ch h , S m se t

T y p e 6

rim itive S a tch Dials 53 P i m. Dia ls or S cr

h 3 n st leh l 3 ole is % i ches , the y o e is 5 an inch deep by g of an ° 9 di W . 5 . inch in ameter , and the aspect is s. by Type

6 8 . 2 hi i W of on W . ( ) T s d al is on the . face a quoin the

. 4 1 u corner of the S porch . It is feet inch above the gro nd , di no on hole S st lehole the stance to the is i inches , the y is °

i 1 9 . W 0 . an nch deep , and the aspect is . by N Type 2 3rd 1 9 1 . January ,

D a 1 i u t r u NO . no b o i l has l nes dents dots to mark the ho rs , st leh ole some o f which appear to have been added . The y is m to extremely shallow , and does not see ever have been

deeper . 2 1 i s . . Dial No . nearly exactly similar in all respects to No

The stone on which it is cut has been moved , probably from

of s. the E . side the porch , and placed in its present position

facing W .

LONG AS HTON DISTR ICT

n 23 o f 8 This district contai s parish churches , and these , 1 3 f 0 o . churches have dials between them , which are doubtful The churches with dials are

Flax Bourton Walton- in - Gordano Portbury Weston - in - Gordano Portishead Wraxall Tickenham Yatton

F LA x BOURTON CHURCH

i S E . r o f 69 . This d al is on a quoin stone at the co ner the

8 9 , di chancel . It is feet inches from the ground the ra us of 4 st leho le d the circle is inches , the y is small and partly fille , °

S ee . 1 2 1 0 W . . and the aspect is s . by No 1 7 1 9 1 4 March th , .

The dial is m erely a plain circle . incised with rather a broad .

o r S . e o n line . No hour lines holes how Ther is lichen the o f wall which grows up to the edge the circle , but not within i l m ay it . It is just possible that the d a have been painted

. n one . originally . It must ra k as a doubtful 54 Pr im itive S a ri Dia ls or S cratc h Dia ls

PORTB URY CHURCH

. 7 0. This dial is on the first buttress from the E end of the 4 1 0 n no online . , S . aisle It is feet inches from the grou d the st leh ole is 4 inches in length , and the y is in a joint of the 1 1 t 1 1 1 S 0 h 9 . stone . The aspect is due S . Type . eptember , i i i n This is an nteresting d al w th the mass li e broadened ,

m . n o o lines and both the 6 a . and n are formed by joints in the o f n stone . The hard quality the stone is show by the way

- for it has retained the tool marks , and may account the use o f joints in place o f lines . Plate IV

PORTI SHEAD CHURCH 7 1 i f . Th s circle is on the eastern o the two buttresses on f 8 . o the side the tower , and is four courses up from the plinth . l i o f 3 o r 3 The circ e , wh ch is out reach , is % inches in dia l l n of st eho e . meter , and has a fai t trace a y It is badly weathered , but the circle is complete and plain . It must 1 1 1 l 0th 9 . i . S rank as a doubtful d al eptember ,

TI CKENHAM CHURCH

7 2 i i l i S E . . Th s d a is on a quo n stone at the corner of the 3 5 1 chancel . It is only feet 5 inches above the ground , the i to no onh ole 6 st leh ole 2 d stance the is % inches , the y is ginches

o f . deep and g an inch in diameter , and the aspect is S by ° 1 2 1 1 1 9 S th 9 . 5 . . E Type eptember , ri This dial is a good example o f the Hole va ety . The times o f i are marked by holes , some wh ch are mere dents , and some l 1 i in . are about nch depth , and probably held pegs The ho es

1 . er m . corresponding to about 9 and 0 a . are the deepest C tain lin es have been drawn o r scratched from the holes to the n t r n n style , but they do o appear to belong to the o igi al desig , l as they are bad y made .

WAL TON - I N - GORDAN O CHURCH i 73 . i o n u n of Th s d al is a q oi stone at the S W . corner the

. . 8 8 i S aisle It is feet nches from the ground , the circle is 9 i st leh ole nches in diameter , the y open and shallow , and the du e s . a 4 . S 1 2 spect nearly Typ e eptember th , 1 9 1 1 .

tch Dia ls 56 Pr im itive S u n Dia ls or S cra

o f t e . 7 8 2 O u . h . ( ) n the outer b ttress on the E side S porch is a di al that perhaps ought not to be c oun ted among those 5 1 0 und treated of here . It is feet inches above the gro , the st leho le 1 n o o n lin e is 7 inches in length , the y is % inches in °

. 1 7 depth and 1 inch in diameter , and the aspect S by E . st le This dial is probably XVII century . The y hole slants o u t l upwards , and hence the style stood at an ang e , much as the gnomon does on an ordinary sun dial . At the ends of the ou t lines Arabic numerals have been . These figures are 3 4 5 6 M . on A . M . 7 8 9 on P . s 6 . , , , the side , and , , , the ide There 1 2 no online is a faint suggestion of under the . The face of e ffi c the stone is weathered , and oth r marks are di ult to make t leh le l o u t . s o The y is easi y seen , but the figures are most ff to a t w di icult detect , lthough they s and out ith great clearness in a photograph .

S HEPTON MA LLET DIS TRICT

i n 2 5 one ha This distr ct co tains parish churches and c pelry . O 1 1 1 6 di l m 2 f these , churches have a s between the , Of which are doubtful . The churches with dials are Chesterblade (chapelry) 1 Lamyat 2 West Cranmore 1 East Penn ard 1 Croscombe 1 * Pilton 2

Milton Clevedon 1 S tratton - on - the - Fosse 3 Doultin g 2 Upton Noble 1 Evercreech 1 *

CHESTERB LADE CHAP E LRY f i i o n . o . 7 9 . Th s rough d al is situated the E side the S porch n online s and is 5 feet 4 inches from the ground . The o i st lehole o f 3 inches in length , and the y , which is in a j oint 1 in . the stonework , is about % inches depth The aspect is ° 2 2 1 1 . 8t 9 3 . 5 . h S . by E Typ e July , el of i Chesterblade is an ancient chapelry , but chap s th s kind have been included with the parish churches for the

l - purposes of this col ection . Pr im itive S a ri Dia ls or S cra tch Dia ls 57

WEST CRANMORE CHURCH t 80. i f a S . . o This d al is cut upon the W buttress the tower , no online a height from the ground o f 5 feet 3 inches . The 4 st leho le 3 1 is 5 inches in length , the y being 2. inches in depth ) f ° 4 o 3 W . . by E; an inch in diameter . The aspect is S . by Type 1 2 O 4th 1 9 . ctober ,

- This dial has been added to until it is almost wheel shaped . The additional lines in the u pper half Of the circle are much l o sharper and fresher than the origina incisi ns , which are a 4 1 S ee . good deal weathered . ( Nos and

CROSCOMB E CHURCH

’ 8 1 f the . On a buttress to the W . o the priest s door into chancel is a styleho le at a height of 5 feet 1 0 inches from the f l ground . There are no remains o either a circ e or lines but from the soft nature o f the stone they may have been 8 1 9 1 1 . O . weathered away ctober th ,

MI LTON CL E VE D ON CHURCH 2 8 . hi di l a . nd T s curious al is on the S wal of the chancel ,

n . 4 5 is easily fou d It is feet inches from the ground , and the distance between the stylehole and the n o onh ole is ' 4 st lehole 1 inches . The y is g inches in depth and the aspect ° 4t 1 9 1 2 9 . h . 5 W . is S . by Type June , There appears to be little doubt but what this arrangement n o f five holes is really a dial . While no other has been fou d on exactly like it , it shows a family likeness to those the Lackin churches at Seavington S t . Mary White gton

and others . The chancel wall o f Milton Clevedon Church was rebuilt 1 87 4 i n ot l in , and the d al stone is probably in its origina position .

D OULTI NG CHURCH 1 t S . W . 8 3 . ( ) This double dial is cut upon a bu tress at the f 5 1 1 n corner o the nave , and is feet inches from the grou d . 1 2 h It consists of a half circle of holes , and contained wit in it is a scratch dial of five lines . 5 8 Pr im itive S u n Dia ls or S cra tch Dia ls

In the former dial , the distance from the style to the noon st leh ole hi n of hole is 7 in ches . The y , w ch was in a j oi t the 20° s . . u . 9 stonework , is filled p The aspect is by E Type . 28th 1 9 1 August , 3 . As this dial is more developed than the small dial contain ed f o . within it , it is probably the later the two 8 4 2 i r W . ( ) The second d al , desc ibed above , is situated ithin o f n o onlin e 4 the last named . The length the is 3 inches , st leh ole i i fil and the y , wh ch was in a jo nt , is led up . The 2 a spect is the same as the above . Typ e . S l 6th 1 91 3 eptember , . This dial is most diffi cult to see when the sun is in front o f hi i Wh W . it . en the sun is in the and S n ng across it , all the lines Show plainly . EVERCREECH CHURCH 5 8 on . . f . There is a circle the S E buttress o the tower with 5 5 2 i o f . m a rad us % inches It is feet inches fro the ground , t leh le n s o . a d the y is extremely shallow The aspect is S . ° x S ee . by 5 E . ( No

- lin . The circle is quite clear , but there are no hour es The

very shallow stylehole makes this a doubtful dial .

LAMYAT CHURCH

6 1 i n on 8 . ( ) This d al is situated low dow the buttress 3 3 f s . . which is W . o the porch It is only feet inches from the

n n o on lin e 4 . grou d , and the is % inches in length The style

5 . fil . a hole is led u p . The aspect is due W Type The stone on which th e dial is ou t has evidently been moved to W . at some time to its present position facing , and judge from the apparent age o f the buttress in which it is situated

this transfer must have taken place at a remote period . To “ the left there is a rough copy dial . 8 7 2 . ( ) A second dial is situated on this church on the fi u 6 f . . rst b ttress to the E . o the S porch It is about feet

4 n - i 4 i in i ches from the ground , the noon l ne is nches length , an d st leh ole i f m r the y , wh ch was in a joint o the ason y , is

. 2 O l 6th 1 9 1 3 . 8 . . filled up The aspect is due Type ctober ,

This poor and ill - made dial seems to be in its original All . n position its li es are wavering and in distinct . P l a te $ I I

o o n P a u n c e fo o u rc o e r se C mpt t Ch h , S m t

Typ e 7

Prim itive S u n Dia ls or S cratch Dials 59

EAST PENNARD CHURCH 88 i . i Th s d al is cut at the entrance to the S . porch , on the

- . 5 6 E . side It is feet inches from the ground , the noon line

3 st lehole 1 is inches in length , and the y is inch deep and ° A 1 4 . 0 . } an inch in diameter . The aspect is S . by E Type

1 8th 1 9 1 3 . August , hi l T s dia has been badly mutilated , considerably more a n th n half the lines bei g additions to the original . f ’ m There is also on a buttress to the E . o the priest s (mode ) o f 4 8 door into the chancel , at a height feet inches from the st leh ole o f 3 ground , a y , and part a circle above it , at }5 inches f i . no o rad us There are other marks any kind , and if it be r a dial at all it must be ve y ancient .

PI LTON CHURCH

8 9 1 i u . ( ) This d al is cut pon a buttress between the tower 5 3 buttress and the S . porch . It is feet inches from the n o onlin e 6 ground , the is inches in length , and the style o f hole is 3% inches in depth by g an inch in diameter . The °

1 8 . 1 1 0 w . 8th 9 1 s . 3 . aspect is by Type August , This bold and simple dial mu st have been moved from its ri o n o ginal position , and a portion of the stone the left hand

. i . W o ff. o r . side cut The single mass line is very d stinct u f 2 A W . o 90. ( ) second dial is sit ated on the side the ’ 4 8 r . p iest s door It is feet % inches from the ground , the nline 4 st lehole no o is inches in length , and the y is shallow 1 5 ° w . 50 . and partly filled . The aspect is S by . Type A 1 8th 1 9 1 3 ugust , . hi i The stone on w ch the d al is cut is soft and much worn . t leh le o f vi Above the s y o the remains a circle are sible .

S TRATTON - ON - THE - FOSSE CHURCH

1 o n S . W 1 i di . 9 . of ( ) Th s al is situated the corner the nave , 7 o n . n n a quoin stone It is feet from the grou d , the oonline 3 st lehole 1 is inches in length , and the y is 5 inches in depth . °

3 . 3 W . The aspect is s . by Type hi di i The mass line in t s al is sharp and d stinct , and made at a different time from the other lines . 60 P r im itive S u n D ia ls o r S cra tch D ia ls

2 i . an t 2 o . 9 . s o ( ) A second d al is at the entr ce the p rch , w 3 e 3 f on the . . s n side The height is fe t inche rom the grou d , n o onlin e 3 i in t st lehole of the % nches leng h , and the y g an n in an n in di i ch depth and about i ch amete r . The aspec t ° w 3 . b y 5 . T is s . ype 3 i n 9 3 . o t s e ( ) A th rd dial is the but re s b tween the s . porch f v 5 152. o n a e . e 1 and the end the It is fe t inch from the ground , di r 4 n st l the ra us of the outer ci cle is i ches , and the y ehole is 2 in h an d in dia inches dept an inch meter . The aspec t is °

b y 5 w. e . S e . 3rd 1 9 1 S ( No November , 3 . No hour lin es can be see n on this ancient and badly worn dia . O i sty leho le i a e 4 a l uts de the at a d st nc of inches , re the

i n o f t wo r l on e w in w h of an n remai s ci c es , ith the other , t 3; i ch e space betw en them .

$Ty r o s NOB LE CHUR CH

94 . This dial is situated betwee n the two win dows on the

. is 5 1 5 . the n i t side It feet inch from grou d , the d s ance to the no onh ole is 4g inches an d the sty leh ole is 3 % inches in ° b y an e b 1 5 Th e . w i e . y depth nch in diamet r asp ct is S . 2 9 . l 8th 1 9 1 y 3 . Type Ju , h h as e r e i w in T is dial be n tu n d ups de do n , probably the e in 1 8 8 1 wn r storation , and a do pipe for rainwater runs a in t and a to cross its face . It is perfect condi ion appe rs be i u by dr e free from addit ons . The ho rs are marked holes ill d lin yisible n . i to the wall , and there are no es

WE LLS DIS TRICT

is i s 1 5 a s an d s 7 Th d trict contains p rish churche , of the e , 1 2 have dials between them 5 of whi ch are doubtful . The chur ches with dials are

B s alton borough West-bury B utleigh Wookey Dinder North Wootto n Rodney S toke

62 Prim itive S u n Dia ls or S cra tch Dia ls

1 2 00. At i w ( ) a short d stance to the . on the sam e stone st lehole u is a y with dots ro nd it , the length of the noon dis tance being 3% inches . 1 1 1 2 3 0 0 . To W of and ( ) and the . this , again , are two m di . i l and a ore als These three d als are very doubtfu , m y “ $ i l of the ri i one be only copy d a s o g nal .

WESTB URY CHURCH 1 03 . i di l on i S . E Th s a is a quo n stone at the . corner of the chancel . It is 5 feet above the ground, the noonline is 5 n st leho le 1 i ches in length , and the y g inches in diameter at r to n 2 the face , na rowing an i ch . It is } inches in depth , 22 ° . . 3 A 2 . 1 1 9 1 3 and the aspect is S by E Type ugust th , . h l st l The lines are very t in , and the arge y ehole looks as if l it was original y cut this size .

WOOKEY CHURCH 1 4 0 . di l W . . s. This a is on the _ Side of the porch It is 4 6 feet inches above the ground , the radius measures about

. 3 st lehole a t all . % inches , and the y is filled up , if it exists The ° 24 1 1 4 1 0 ee th 9 . . . S . aspect is S by E ( No March , l li or The circ e is quite complete , but it is without nes holes , st leh le l o and the y o shows but very s ightly . There is a g od deal of ivy on other likely places .

NORTH WOOTTON CHURCH f 1 5 1 hi o n . o 0 . ( ) T s dial is a buttress at the E end the nave , at a height o f 4 feet 9 inches from the gr ound . . The noon n 2 l st lehole i l li e is % inches in ength , the y , wh ch is arge , is ° 4 30 E . . s . filled with mortar , and the aspect is by Type 1 6 2 f ’ 0 . w O ( ) A second dial is on the . side the priest s line . 3 1 1 u n oon door It is feet inches above the gro nd , the st leh ole hi ll is inches in length , the y , w ch is very sha ow , is ° t . 1 0 no 30 E . partly filled The aspect is S . by Type , dents ,

l . ho es This latter is a somewhat doubtful dial .

A 1 8th 1 9 1 3 . ugust , P ART II

S OUTH S OMERSET Containing the dials upon the churches in the districts W I BRIDG ATER . WELL NGTON .

CHARD . WILLITON . D I . ULVERTON . W NCANTON LA N P R I’ ‘ Y I . G O . EOV L

TAUNTON .

BRIDGWATER DIS TRICT

hi 39 u 8 T s district contains parish ch rches , and of these , 4 8 i . churches have dials between them , of wh ch are doubtful The churches with dials are °

Charlinch 1 Durleigh l at: Go ath u I 'S t 1 Moorlinch 1 a: The church at Cossington is so covered with creepers that it cannot b e thoroughly examin ed .

CHA R LI NCH CHURCH 1 7 w hi i S . W . 0 . T s d al is upside do n at the foot of the but f ff o . tress the tower , where it has been used to e ect a repair 1 5 no online 6 It is foot inches from the ground , the is inches t leh ole s S . W . in length , the y is shallow , and the aspect is 3 S 23rd 1 9 1 4 Type . eptember , .

DURLEIGH CHURCH f h o n . o . 1 08 . T is dial is the E side the S porch . It is about 2 feet from the ground , and appears to have a very large style hole which is blocked up . The stone is so badly weathered i i that the d al is most ind stinct and doubtful . S 2 2nd 1 9 1 4 . eptember , 64 P r im itive S u n Dia ls or S cra tch Dia ls

GOATHURST CHURCH 1 f 09 di w. o of . This al is on the side the inner door the 4 7 . . n o u noonl S porch It is feet i ches fr m the gro nd , the ine, 3 l t which is very indistinct , is about % inches in eng h , and the t l h le . 3 4 s e o . y is filled up Type , perhaps S m 24th 1 9 1 4 epte ber , . i The a of dia l l restorers have scraped the f ce th s f at, an d fi ll n i are o l have tried to in the li es , wh ch c nseq uent y m ost indistin ct . The covering porch appears to be work of the i Perpend cular period .

MOORLI NCH CHURCH

1 1 0. i i l on f W . o h . is Th s d a is the side the s. porc It 4 7 o n n o nline 4 feet inches above the gr u d , the o is in ches in l st lehole l and of i ength , the y is shal ow g an inch in d ameter , ° and the i 1 0 s . 3 . 24 1 1 4 W . S t m th 9 aspect S by Type ep e ber , .

is is i d to; Th a poor scratchy d al , much adde

PAWLETT CHURCH 1 1 1 f i di on the . e o . tran . Th s al is a quoin at W corn r the s 4 4 i u nd the sept . The height is feet nches above the gro , n oonline 4 in t i is r en is inches leng h , and the style , wh ch b ok ff o f e l a o just below the surface , was made a whitish m ta , h lf 5 1 b. m 6th 9 1 1 in . S . an inch diameter Type epte ber , S everal lines have obviously been added to the original

design . PURI TON CHURCH

’ 1 1 2 a n l k di on t . There is figure somethi g i e a al the lef It of corner o f the stair turret to the tower . consists a circle 5 e wi l and 1 2 g inches in diamet r , thout a centra hole , with

i . d not to rad i dividin g the circle eq ually . It oes appear be o f st leho le t it ro very old , and the absence a y shows tha was p

n o t di S m 6th 1 9 1 1 . bably a al . epte ber ,

S HAr wrC K CHU RCH 1 “ $ 1 3 . di r n fthe n l . This al is on a quo in at the S E . co er o cha ce It is 2 7 n no Online Was ro 5 feet inches from the grou d , the p b l 4 in “ w st lehole l e lo . ab y inches length , the y is arge , op n and shal

The a t is . 24 1 1 4 S th 9 . spec S eptember ,

65 Pr im itive S im Dia ls or S cra tch Dia ls

di d This al is extremely doubtful . It is on a badly weathere

no l A .M . , stone , there are ines , and the dents in the quarter which are indistinct , may have resulted from the friable of nature the sto ne . S TAWELL CHURCH 4 ’ 4 1 1 . O W . of r n the side the p iest s door , at a height of feet 2 l st leho e . inches above the ground , is a shallow y The stone

i . is much weathered . No marks of any kind are v sible

1 3 1 9 1 3 . May th ,

CHARD DISTRICT

' This district contains 3 1 parish churches and o n e chapelry . O 1 2 1 7 on e of f these , churches have dials between them , which is doubtful . The churches with dials are

Ashill 3 S eavington St . Mary

Broadway 2 S eavington S t . Michael (h ewk erne 1 Stocklinch Otter say Dinnington (chapelry) l Wayford t Hinton S . George 1 Whitelackington Kingstone 1 Winsham

ASHI LL CHURCH

f . 1 1 5 1 hi on . . o . ( ) T s dial is the S E corner the nave It is 6 n o online a feet above the ground , the is t inches in length , st lehole I 1 the y is i inches deep by inch diameter , and the 1 ° 2 0 . . aspect is s . by E Type f 2 A 1 0 . o 1 1 6 . ( ) bout inches to the E the above is another li e 2 di . noon n al , which may be only a copy The is % inches st lehole in length , the y , which is in a joint , is filled , and the 2 aspect is as above . Type . 3 Tw 1 1 7 . o ( ) feet below the last named is another , also 4 no onlin e . probably a copy . The is % inches in length , the st lehole the y , which is in a joint , is filled , and aspect is as

2 . A 1 6 1 1 9 5 . above . Type ugust th , ' 2 3 It is rather difficult to determine whether Nos . and are 1 r . o l only copies of No whether they are origina . 66 Pr im itive S u n Dia ls or S cra tch Dia ls

BROADWAY CHURCH 1 1 8 . 1 f . S i in ( ) This dial is on the W ide o the S . w ndow the l s . 5 no on in e transept . It is feet above the ground , the is 4 in l st leh ole 1 n of inches ength , the y is 2 i ches deep by g an 1 2 ° 3 . n i . . i ch in d ameter , and the aspect is S by E Type 1 1 2 i n . . i 9 . ( ) Th s dial is o the E side of the S w ndow in the 5 2 n S . transept . It is feet inches above the grou d , the noon n 3 st lehole li e is inches in length , the y is shallow by an inch 1 2 ° 3 . di . . in ameter , and the aspect. S by E Type 1 6 1 1 5 9 . August th , 1 2 t N . A o di o i . few lines have been added al , and d al No 4 has the mass line ( 5 inches) much longer than the others . It o f n is just possible , from the appearance the setti g , that both these stones have been moved at some time .

CREWKERNE CHURCH f 1 2 hi di l . o 0. T s a is on the first buttress from the E end 4 5 the chancel . It is feet inches above the ground , the noon 3 l n t st lehole lin e is inches leng h , the y is inches in depth °

i e s . 1 0 . by o f an inch in d ameter , and the asp ct is by E 1 1 n 8 9 5 . Type 3 . Ju e th , in n i ul The lines on this dial are distinct su light , but d ffic t to see in ordinary light . There is an enlarged hole at the end of what is probably the mass line .

DI NNI NGTON CHAP ELRY f 1 2 1 i on . o . This d al is the E side the second window from 6 n no online . , the S . porch It is feet above the grou d the is a n st lehole l t i ches in length , the y is é inches deep by g 2 ° 4 f S. 1 E . , o an inch in diameter , and the aspect is by Type

A 1 8th 1 9 1 5 . combinin g 50 . ugust , i n This is a full wheel d al , and the added li es have been cut so with some care , that they look almost as good as the original

T H HINTON S . GEORGE C URCH w 2 i o f . 1 2 . This d al is o n the S . face a buttress at the end 5 . 8 n of the S . aisle It is feet i ches above the ground , the e 3 st lehole n n o onlin is inches in length , and the y an i ch deep

68 Pr im itive S u n Dia ls or S cra tch Dia ls

S TOCKLI NCH OTTE R S A Y CHURCH f ’ 1 2 6 l on . o . There is a doubtfu dial the E side the priest s l door . It is in a likely position , but the stone is so bad y n weathered that o lines can be traced upon it . 2 1 1 S t 1 th 9 2 . ep ember ,

WAYFORD CHURCH f f th 1 27 hi i l on . o i o e . T s d a is the E side the nner door 4 f 1 1 . noonline S . porch It is eet inches above the floor , the I st lehole 1 is only i inches in length , the y is inch deep by f 3 . o 8 . g an inch in diameter , and the aspect is due Type 1 1 A 1 9 9 5 . ugust th , i a t l Th s is a qu in and probab y very ancient little dial . The M l A . l ff . n oon in e h o lines are onger than the , whic is cut by the edge o f the stone . The porch over this dial looks ex l f th on e tr em ely o d . The head O e outer door is cut from - of o f a huge piece stone in the form rough debased arch , and f is of the m ost primitive kind o workmanship .

WHI TELACKI NGTON CHURCH

f s . 1 2 i i on w. r o 8 . Th s d al is a buttress at the co ner the 4 9 transept . It is feet inches above the ground , the distance t - 3 st lehole 1 o the hour holes is % inches , the y is % inches deep °

20 E . di e ct S. by g of an inch in amet r , and the aspe is by

S e 5th 1 9 1 2 . Type 9 . ept mber , t leho le of l l . s i . This d a is near y unique The y is great size , noonhole and does n ot seem to have been enlarged . The .

one n of . if it be , is in the joi t a stone below No other holes for l one Show except those three ear y morning hours , and l of i. e . these is doubled , it has a second ho e inside it . nearer the

st leh l to l . y o e . These holes are deep enough ho d pegs

WI NSHAM CHURCH

1 29 1 f on l . o . ( ) This dia is on the E side the window the ’ 6 5 f ri r . w. o the p est s doo It is feet inches above the ground , n n 6 st lehole 2 the o o line is inches in length , and the y is inches 1 ° s . 0 E . deep by ff of an inch in diameter . The aspect is by 5 Type 6 . 9 Pr im itive S im Dia ls or S cra tch Dia ls 6

’

1 . 30. 2 W o f ( ) This dial is on the . side the priest s door 5 2 n o onlin e 3 It is feet % inches above the ground , the is % st leh o le 1 inches in length , the y inch deep by an inch in 5b 3a . diameter , and the aspect as above . Type or 1 1 3 . 3 W S w . ( ) This dial is on the . ide of the indow E of the ’ 6 . 3 priest s door It is feet inches above the ground , the noon i s 6 st leh ole line % inches in length , and the y , which is large , is 4 filled with cement . The aspect as above . Type , com 5c 1 1 5 1 9 9 . bining . August th , 1 The dials No s . and 3 are carefully cut on very large stones that form the quoins of the windows on either side o f the ’

priest s door .

DULVERTON DISTRICT

There are no dials upon any o f the 1 3 parish churches w r ithin this dist ict .

LANGPORT DIS TRICT

di 2 8 and o f 1 2 e This strict contains churches , these , hav

20 5 - f O i O . d als between them , which are doubtful ne church ,

Beer Crocombe , cannot be examined thoroughly as it is covered with creepers . The following are the churches with dials : Aller High Ham Babcary Keinton Mandeville Barrington Kingsbury Episc opi t D Kin s n Barton S . avid g Curry Rivel Puckington Fivehead S omerton

ALLER CHURCH 1 2 1 d . 3 . on ( ) These two ials are inside the S porch , the r wa a . do o v t e E side of the inner , on the c pital of h Norman 6 . 7 e arch The height from the ground , is feet inch s , the 3 st leho le length of the hour lines is about inches , the y , which 5 ° . 2 is filled , is in a joint , and the aspect is S by E . Type . 7 0 i i r D . P m tive S 1m. ia ls or S c ratch Dia ls

1 3 2 3 . 1 ( ) The second dial is 7 in ches below NO . . The o f the n o on lin e 4 n length is i ches , the style , which is in a n th e wi j oi t , appears to have metal shank of the style level th ° the o f the t 5 T 2 b . . o . y face s ne , and the aspect is S E ype S te 9th 1 9 1 2 ep mber , i ou t y r These d als are both upon earl No man work , although t t hey may be la er than the stone o n which they are placed .

BAB CARY CHURCH

1 4 1 3 . w . ( ) This dial is on the side of the S . porch . It is 4 9 n n o on line 3 feet inches above the grou d , the is about inches 8 t th e st leho le o f n in leng h , y is only T6 an i ch deep , and the °

t . b 40 3 . te l 0 1 9 1 2 . t y S h . aspec is S E Type ep mber , i a i st leh o le Th s is . faint scratchy d al , and the y may still ° a The to 4 cont in th e style . face of the s ne is as much as 0 u t o of the true . 1 5 2 3 . ( ) About a foot below the above dial is apparently t t another , but it is ex remely doub ful if it be one , or is any 1 in f . th g more than a copy o No .

BARR I NGTON CHURCH

1 6 1 - i i . r 3 . ( ) Th s d al is on a buttress at the W co ner of the

5 . 6 n n the S . transept . It is about feet i ches above the grou d ,

len th t o f n o onlin e 3 st leho le i g the is inches , the y , wh ch is 1 of n te much worn , is 2 inches deep and g an i ch in diame r , °

2 4 . 7th 1 9 1 2 . 0 . S and the aspect is S . by E Type eptember ,

This dial has been added to and made into a wheel . 1 7 2 7 T the . 3 . ( ) o E and at a distance of inches is another

st lehole t . doubtful y , with perhaps do s below it 1 38 3 st leh ole w one . n ( ) Nine i ches above is another y , ith i n R M i i . d sti ct . l ne com ng from it

T D I D BARTON S . AV

1 w o l - 39 . d u This di al is on the . side of an blocked p doorway 2 o f . 5 on the 8 . side the church It is feet inches above the n the n o on lin e 5 n in th e st lehole grou d is i ches length , and y ,

7 1 Pr im itive S u n Dia ls or S cra tch Dia ls

°

1 5 E . s. which was in a joint , does not show . The aspect is by no The dial stone has probably been moved , as there are signs f o 2 . st lehole b u t t e . a y , h rays require a style in the joint Type

26th 1 9 1 4 . May ,

CURRY RI VEL CHURCH 1 40 f . 1 o ( ) This dial is on a buttress at the S E . corner C 4 . 8 the hancel It is feet inches above the ground , the lines —1 4 st leho le about 2 inches in length , the y is g of an inch in 27 ° . . 3 . depth , and the aspect is S by E Type 1 4 1 2 . ( ) There is a second dou btful dial o n the S W . but r f 1 9 1 2 . o . 6th . S t ess the S porch eptember ,

The stone is soft and rather badly weathered .

FI VEHEAD CHURCH

' ’

1 42 . E . . This dial is on the side of the priest s door It is 5 n o o n line 4 feet above the ground , the is % inches in length , the styleho le 1 % inches in depth and g of an inch in diameter ° 6 1 1 2 th 9 . 5 . 3 . S s . and the aspect is by E Type eptember ,

i . Th s dial is not easy to see , as a rose tree is growing over it

HIGH HA M CHURCH

- 1 4 i W . S . . 5 3 . This d al is on the ide of the S porch It is feet 6 i 7 nches above the ground , the diameter is % inches , the st leh o le 1 y is inch deep and about an inch in diameter , and S 9t 1 S ee No . h 9 1 2 the aspect is due S . ( eptember , .

This is a complete circle without any hour lines . On the o r A . M circle are some small holes dents which mark early .

u i . hours . It is a somewhat doubtf l d al

KEI NTON MANDEVILLE CHURCH

1 i S E 1 44 . ( ) Th s dial is on a quoin stone at the . corner of 1 1 - . 5 the chancel It is feet 2 inches above the ground , the

o nlin e 2 st leh o le 1 - n o is ginches in length , the y is ,1 inches deep ° o f in t 1 s. 0 by g an inch diame er , and the aspect is by E .

Type 3 . 7 2 Pr im itive S u n Dials or S cra tch Dia ls

1 4 2 li 5 . i n oon ne ( ) Ten inches below is a second d al , the 2 h st leho le 1 o f is % inches in lengt , the y is % inches deep and g i an inch in d ameter , and the aspect is the same as the above .

3 . 26th 1 9 1 4 Type May , . i st leh l 1 On open ng the y o e of NO . fragments o f the oak style were removed .

KI NGSB URY EP ISCO P I CHURCH

1 4 6 . o n This dial is the western buttress on the S . side of 7 1 0 . 1 1 the tower It is feet inches above the ground , and i n t leh l . s o e i inches diameter The y , wh ch appears to be deep th e u t o f o i . ( dial is reach) , is an inch in d ameter It contains

- 4 . . S e 5th 1 1 2 9 . twenty four lines in all Type ept mber , “ h Of i This dial is a complete w eel thin lines w thout a circle . It has probably been moved to its present position at some

u t restoration of the tower , as it would not be s bject o muti 8 lation where it now is , nearly feet from the ground .

KINGSDON CHURCH

- f 1 47 1 . o . . ( ) This dial is on the E buttress the tower It is 7 8 feet inches above the ground , on a band of hard stone that u is let into the blue has of which the b ttress is built . The n o o line 4 st lehole n is inches in length , the y , which is in a joint , 1 ° 2 0 . . is filled , and the aspect is S . by E Type

1 2 on W . . 48 . ( ) The second dial is the Side of the S porch . 5 5 no online It is feet inches above the ground , the is about 5 in st leho le inches length , the y is open and badly shaped , and °

1 3 . 0 . the aspect is S . by E Type 1 o f f . o 49 . ( 3 ) This dial is on the E side the inner door 2 7 the S . porch . It is feet inches from the ground , the noon 3 st lehole i in line is inches in length , the y , wh ch is a joint , is 1 9 1 4 2 O . filled . Type . ctober l st ,

This third dial is extremely low down , and yet it appears o n hi to be in its original position . It is cut a stone w ch forms f i f di part o the mould ng o the doorway , and it is fficult to see ho w it could have been in any other position .

7 4 P r im itive S u n Dia ls or S cra tch Dia ls

All t r di h ee of these als are close together , very poor in con

u o r str ction , and one other of them is probably only a copy di in o f i al , but the l es all have been added to , and it is d fficult t o say which is the origin al .

NORTH CURRY CHURCH 1 5 5 . on W There is a doubtful dial the . side of the S . porch . w st lehole l It consists of a much worn stone , ith a y ( ) which l i is fi led up , and some marks that m ght be lin es . The stone is so soft and worn that it is impossible to say with certain ty w i . S 9th 1 9 1 2 hether it was once a d al eptember , .

HALSE CHURCH

1 56 . i i o n t . i o f Th s d al is the E side of the firs w ndow E .

th e s . . 6 6 the porch It is feet inches above ground , the noon li 3 st leh ole o f n ne was % inches in length , the y is 3 an i ch deep , 2 5 ° 2 1 . 1 3 . 0th 9 5 W . and the aspect is S by Type August , . o n the di w n The stone which al is cut is a indow quoi , t which was refaced when the window was renova ed , with the result that the lines are nearly scraped away .

T LYDEARD S . LAWRENCE CHURCH 1 ’ 57 th . . This dial is on e E . side of the priest s door It 3 9 n no onli ne I S 5 is feet i ches above the plinth , the % inches st leho le 1 in length , the y inches deep by inch in diameter , ° 1 1 1 5 2 7th 9 3 . 3 . S and the aspect is S . by E . Typ e eptember , st lehole The y is large and oval , and may have been made so in ff e orts to extract the style .

STAP LEGROVE CHURCH 1 5 8 . t This dial is on an angle buttress o the E . of the door u is 5 3 nder the tower . It feet inches above the ground , the i o f 3 st lehole 1 c rad us the circle is inches , the y is % in hes deep ° f S ee O 30 . di . by {3 an inch in ameter , and the aspect is S by E (. 1 S 25th 1 9 3 . eptember , Pr im itive S i m Dia ls or S cra tch Dia ls 75

“ i o f i st lehole This d al consists a complete circle w th a good y , but without lines or other marks . The face of the stone is so badly weathered that marks may easily have existed on it originally .

STOKE S T . GREGORY CHURCH 1 5 9a . f o s . . This dial is on the E . side the porch It is 5 5 n n o onlin e u 5 feet inches above the grou d , the is abo t inches st lehole and in length , the y is filled with hard mortar , the 2 0° 4 9 1 1 2 . 9 S th . aspect is S by E . Type . eptember , no on lin e This dial has been decorated . The is lengthened outside the circle , and ends in a small cross . This cross is n o o nlin e plainly an addition . The is also carried upwards hi above the circle and also ends in a cross . T s cross may be original . The line throughout its length is true and clean cut , so that it may be part of the primitive dial . 1 f 59b. w W . O This dial is ithin the church , on the splay t the easternmost window in the S . wall . It is on the o p stone n o onlin e 5 Of the splay , the is about inches in length , and the st leho le y , which appears to be an inch in diameter , is filled 2 1 1 6 5b. 0th 9 . with plaster . Type November ,

u This dial is the only one that has been fo nd inside a church . It was Obviously placed in its present position at the time the late XV century window was inserted , and must have

u been brought from some other part of the b ilding .

WELLINGTON DIS TRICT

i 1 8 one o f This d strict contains parish churches , which has a dial . The church at Bradford is covered with creepers and cannot be thoroughly examined the chu rchyard at Wellington is l ok o ed . always up , and this church has therefore not been visited

It probably has no dial . 2 5 1 9 1 3 20th 1 9 1 5 S th . Visited eptember , , and August ,

OAKE CHURCH

1 60 i . . Th s dial is on the E side of the doorway under the 6 5 central tower . It is feet inches above the ground , the 7 6 Pr im itive S u n Dia ls or S cratch Dia ls no on lin e st leh ole 2 is inches in length , the y is g inches in l 30° depth by i inches in diameter , and the aspect is S . by E .

3 . 2 1 1 S 7th 9 3 . Type eptember , This large and boldly cut dial is somewhat weathered and a little added to .

WILLITON DIS TRICT

' 36 o f these This district contains parish churches , and , 3 i 2 l. have d als , of which are doubtfu The churches with dials are

East $uantoxhead

KI LVE CHURCH

1 1 ’ 6 . n o f O the E . side the priest s door there is a very t l faint circle and a sugges ion o f a sty eh o le . The stone is so badly weathered that it is not possible to say whether this 2 2m 1 9 1 4 . S d . was once a dial eptember ,

MONKSILVER CHURCH

1 62 . This dial is on the wall E . of the first buttress from 4 1 the S . porch . It is feet g inches above the ground , the n o on line 2 in n st lehole is inches le gth , the y is shallow and 1 Of i c . S ee NO . $; an inch in d ameter , and the aspe t is due S ( 9th 1 9 1 4 S . eptember , st le le i This is a very doubtful dial . The y ho s hardly worth

one . calling , and the lines are scarcely visible The circle is clear .

EAST $UANTO$ HEAD 1 63 i ’ ial n . . . This d is o the E side Of the pr est s door It is 5 3 n o online 7 feet inches above the ground , the is inches in n st leho le le gth , the y , which is closed , is in a joint , and the 2 ° 2 t 22 1 9 1 4 s . 0 . S nd . aspect is by E . Type ep ember , The no online is probably longer than it was o riginally by r tw an inch o o .

7 7 Prim itive S i m Dia ls or S cra tch Dia ls

WINCANTON DISTRICT This parish contains 3 6 parish churches and 2 parochial

. O 1 2 20 . chapels f these , churches have dials between them The churches with dials are

Alford Charlton Musg‘ rove Blackford Compton Pau ncefoot S u H Brewham , o th olton Cadbu r v L , North ovington Oadbu r S y , outh $ueen Camel Charlton Horethorne Weston Bamfylde

ALFORD CHURCH

1 64 . o n E o f This dial is a buttress at the S . corner the Of 3 1 0 nave , at a height feet inches from the ground . The n o on lin e 4 st leh ole is inches in length , the y is an inch deep ° 1 . 7 0 . . by an inch in diameter , and the aspect is S . by E Type 2 1 6th 1 9 4 . May , hi i T s d al is very perfect , and probably but little has been added to it . BLACKFORD CHURCH 1 65 1 i di . f . ( ) Th s al is on the E side o the inner door Of the 4 6 . T S porch , at a height of feet inches above the floor . he n o online 4 st leh ole is inches in length , the y , which is in a 2 joint , is filled , and the aspect is due S . Type . 1 66 2 ’ i w . . Of ( ) This d al is on the side the priest s door , 2 6 i . n wh ch is blocked up It is feet inches above the grou d , n o onlin e 2 st leh o le the is % inches in length , the y is small and 24t 1 1 3 . h 9 4 Shallow , and the aspect is due S . Type April , .

S OUTH BREWHAM CHURCH f 1 o n . o 1 67 i s . . ( ) This d al is the E side the porch , at a 1 u height Of 5 feet inch above the gro nd . The n o online is 4 in situ inches in length , part of the iron style is level with - the face of the stone , but rusted away at the sides , and is 0

di . . 1 0 5 6. about inch in ameter The aspect is S by E . Typ e 7 8 Pr im itive S i m Dia ls or S cra tch Dia ls

1 6 8 . 2 ( ) This dial is o n the E . S ide of the inner door Of the

. . 6 8 no online S porch It is feet inches above the floor , the 4 st leho le i is inches in length , the y , wh ch is in a joint , is filled , 1 ° . 0 . 2 1 1 1 4 . l 7 9 . and the aspect is S by E Type Apri th ,

NORTH CAD B URY CHURCH 1 69 . 1 i W o f . . ( ) This d al is on the first buttress . the S porch 5 no online 4 It is feet above the ground , the is inches in length , st lehole o f b the y is 3 an inch in depth y an inch in diameter , “ 1 ° . 5 . and the aspect is S by E Type 3 . 1 70. 2 hi di on ( ) T s al is the first buttress E . of the S . porch . 4 1 0 n o online 3 n It is feet inches above the ground , the is i ches st lehole l in f in length , the y is about l inches depth by 2 o an n 1 5 ° . 3 . i ch in diameter , and the aspect is S by E . Typ e ’ 1 7 1 . 3 on ( ) This dial is a buttress E . of the priest s door . 5 8 no onlin e 4 It is feet inches above the ground , the is % st leh o le o f inches in length , the y is an inch in depth and ° 7 1 5 . 9 } an inch in diameter , and the aspect is S . by E Type . 24 1 1 4 ri th 9 . Ap l ,

S OUTH CAD B URY CHURCH 1 2 7 . f o . This dial is on the S E . corner the nave It is 3 1 1 n o o nlin e 4 feet inches above the ground , the is inches in st leho le 5 n length , the y is 5; of an inch in depth by an i ch in °

30 . 3 . diameter , and the aspect is S . by E Type 2 1 1 4 ri 4th 9 . Ap l , The no online in this dial is considerably o u t of the per

en c u l r i n o t i . p di a . Th s is caused by the stone fac ng due S by as much as

CHARLTON HO RETHORNE CHURCH

W . o f 1 7 1 al on S . 3 . ( ) This di is a quoin at the corner the i 8 S . a sle . It is feet 3 inches above the foundations , the noon n 4 i in l st lehole 1 in li e is nches ength , the y is g inches depth °

3 . 1 0 . i . by an inch in d ameter , and the aspect is S by E Type 1 r 74 2 n o n . . ( ) This dial is o a quoin the E side Of the fi st n Wi E . 8 th e . ndow . of S porch It is feet above the fou dations , n o onlin e 4 st lehole u the is inches in length , the y is filled p, ° 1 1 5 1 5 2 th 9 . 0 b. 0 and the aspect is S . by E . Typ e May ,

80 Prim itive S u n Dia ls or S cra tch Dia ls

st leho le is inches in length , the y is invisible , and the aspect 1 ° 0 . s. by E 1 82 2 . ( ) This dial is on the first buttress to the E . of the ’ 5 r . 9 i p iest s door It is feet nches above the ground , the n oonline 5 st lehole 1 in is % inches in length , the y is % inches ° n ia t r 1 0 E depth by gof an i ch in d me e , and the aspect is S . by . 5 c . 1 1 1 8th 9 5 . Type May , 1 NO . r dial is cu ious , as it has the lines arranged m uch as in u i ' they are in an ord ary s nd al , with Roman numerals cut

. n w at the ends There may have been a slit for a gnomon , o l m careful y ce ented up . Probably this should not rank as S a cratch dial .

WESTON BA MFYL DE CHURCH

1 83 . i on f . o f This d al is the E side the inner door o the s .

. 3 7 n nli porch It is feet inches above the floor , the oo ne is 5 st lehole inches in length , the y , which is filled up , is in the l t ° n . 2 o . 0 so id stone and in a joint The aspect is S by E .

3 . A 24th 1 9 1 4 Type pril , .

YEOVIL DISTRICT

di t 36 r 1 8 This stric contains pa ish churches , and of these , 4 1 di 2 of h churches have als between them , w ich are doubtful . The churches with dials are

Ashington Montacute Barwick Mudford Brym pton Odcombe l Came , West Pendomer Chilthorne Domer P o dym o re Milton hi C nnock , East Rimpton Lim in gton S toke - sub - Ham don Marston Magna S utton Bingham Martock Tintinhull

The churches at East Coker and Haselbury Plucknett could not be thoroughly examined as they are overgrown with creepers . Pr im itive S im Dia ls or S cra tch Dia ls 8 1

ASHI NGTON CHURCH

1 84 1 . . ( ) This dial is o n the second buttress E . of the S line . 6 5 in c hes ab ov e t e n no on porch It is feet . h grou d , the 4 i st lehole 2 is nches in length , the y is nearly inches in depth °

1 0 . by g of an inch in diameter , and the aspect is S . by E 4 Type . 1 8 5 2 2 — . O 3 ( ) n the same buttress , feet é inches lower down , i di . n o on l n e 3 is a second al The is inches in length , and the 1 t l h le 1 9 1 9 5 . s e o 3 . y is an inch deep . Type May th , The lower of these two dials may be only a copy Of the one

e b u t f . abov , it is badly weathered and it is di ficult to judge

BARWICK CHURCH

1 1 Of . . 86 . ( ) This dial is on the W . side the S porch It is 4 9 u no onlin e 3 feet inches above the gro nd , the is inches in st leh o le length , the y is g of an inch deep by an inch in 2 ° 5 . 3 . i . d ameter , and the aspect is S by E Type 1 7 2 on S E . of . . 8 . ( ) This dial is the corner the S aisle It 3 6 no online 4 is feet inches above the ground , the is 5 inches st leh ole l in length , and the y is % inches deep by 2 of an inch ° “ 4 in s . 30 E . . diameter , and the aspect is by Type l 1 1 5 n 6th 9 . Ju e , 1 D NO . o f hi ial is just above a consecration cross , w ch there D 2 are three cut upon the 8 . wall . ial No . has Roman figures added at the ends of certain o f the lin es .

BRYMP TON CHURCH

1 8 1 o n i S . W . 8 . ( ) Th s dial is a buttress at the corner Of o f 4 1 1 the S . transept , at a height feet inches above the ground . n o online 3 st lehole 2 The is inches in length , the y is % inches ' i 0 s s. 1 0 deep by gof an inch in diameter , and the aspect by E .

Type 50 . 1 8 9 2 on S E . ( ) This dial is a buttress at the . corner o f th e t o f 4 1 s . u transep , at a height feet inch above the gro nd . The n o onlin e 5 n st lehole I n is i ches in length , the y is i i ches deep f ° o . 1 5 by g an inch in diameter , and the aspect is S by E . 1 3 . u 8 9 1 5 Type J ne th , . 82 Pr im itive S u n Dia ls or S cratch Dia ls

WEST CAMEL CHURCH 1 hi 1 90. t e ( ) T s dial is o n h w . side o f the inner door o f the

. . 4 1 0 li S porch It is feet inches above the floor , the no on ne 4 st lehole l 31 f is inches in length , the y is é inches deep by 4 o an ° n 1 . 0 i ch in diameter , and the aspect is S by E . Type 3 . 1 1 2 hi 9 . W S . . o f ( ) T s dial is on the corner the tower . It 5 7 n n o online 2 is feet inches above the grou d , the is % inches st lehole I n in length , the y is i i ches deep , and the aspect is 1 1 . i 3 . 1 8th 1 9 1 5 due S Type , comb ning May , . 1 i N . O r . 2 The porch over d al is fairly mode n Dial NO . is a compact and rather curious little dial . The stylehole has been considerably enlarged .

CHI LTHORNE DOMER CHURCH 1 92 1 . i S . W . Of ( ) This d al is on the angle buttress the s .

. 4 n n o online 2 porch It is feet above the grou d , the is g st lehole inches in length , the y is shallow , and the aspect is 1 W . 0 1 2 S . NO . . Type , combining 1 2 93 . o f ( ) This dial is on the E . side the inner door o f the 4 7 . li s . no on ne porch It is feet inches above the floor , the 3 — st lehole is 5 inches in length , the y , which was in a j oint , is 2 5 ° 2 l . . . fi led , and the aspect is S by E Type

' 1 9 4 : 3 1 ( ) This dial is foot above the last mentioned . The no on lin e 3 i st lehole is % nches in length , the y , which was in a 25 ° 2 the . . j oint , is filled , and aspect is S by E Type .

1 4 to . t e . . 95 . ( ) This dial is on a buttress the E Of h S porch 5 2 n n oonlin e 4 It is feet inches above the grou d , the is inches n h st leh ole l in in le gt , the y is é inches deep by of an inch 2 0 7 i . 0 E . . d ameter , and the aspect is S by Type 1 9 1 5 8 . June th , It is possible that one Of the dials by the inner door is a

copy dial . EAST CHI NNOCK CHURCH

f . 1 96 . i on W . o This d al is the side the S porch , at a height 4 n o online 2 o f feet 8 inches above the ground . The is }1 inches in st lehole o f in di t length , the y is an inch by an inch ame er , 0 1 5 1 9 1 5 0 1 0. u 3 . . and the aspect is S . by E Type J ne th , i so di n This is a poor d al on a very soft stone , and it is in sti ct as to be somewhat doubtful .

Prim itive S i m Dia ls or S cratch Dia ls 83

LI MI NGTON CHURCH

1 7 1 f 9 . d o ( ) This dial is on the E . side of the inner oor the i e . . 4 1 1 no onl n S porch It is feet inches above the floor , the 5 st lehole is inches in length , the y , which is in a joint , is 2 ° 2 s . 0 . . filled , and the aspect is by E Type 1 9 2 ’ 8 . ( ) This dial is o n a buttress to the W . Of the priest s lin e . 5 1 n o on door It is feet inch above the ground , the is 2 st lehole l o f i inches in length , the y is i inches deep by i an 1 ° 5 e e 5 . c . inch in diam t r , and the aspect is S . by E Type

Ma 1 9th 1 9 1 5 . y , 1 The lines in NO . are sharp and clean cut .

MARSTON MAGNA CHURCH

1 99 di n th e to . . This al is o first buttress the W of the ’ 7 4 priest s door . It is feet inches above the ground , the noon 4 st leho le line is i inches in length , the y is i an inch deep by 1 00 3 . of . . i an inch in diameter , and the aspect is S by E Type M 1 8th 1 9 1 5 a . y ,

MARTOCK CHURCH

1 2 on w. 00. ( ) This dial is the side Of the S . porch . It is T e n n li 6 feet 1 inch above the ground . h oo ne is 3i inches in 1 l sty lehole . ength , the is inch deep , and is in a joint The °

5 . S ee NO . a spect is s . by E (

2 . 2 1 i i s . 0 . ( ) Th s d al is under the first window E of the 4 7 no online porch . It is feet inches above the ground , the 3 st leh ole I is inches in length , the y is i inches deep , and the ° 6 1 . 5 . aspect is s. by E Type t f 3 . o . 202 . ( ) This dial is on the second but ress E the S 5 9 n the u n o online porch . It is feet i ches above gro nd , the st leho le is Si inches in length , the y is very shallow , and the °

3 . 1 5 . aspect is S . by E Type i f 4 . O 203 . ( ) This dial is under the th rd window E the S . 3 1 0 n o o n line porch . It is feet inches above the ground , the 2 st lehole I is inches in length , the y is i inches deep , and the ° 1 0 1 5 . . aspect is S . by E Type 84 Prim itive S u n Dia ls or S cra tch Dia ls

204 5 . s on o f . . ( ) Thi dial is the fifth buttress E . the s porch 5 1 u no online 5 It is feet inch above the gro nd , the is i inches st lehole l e in length , the y is i inches deep , and the asp ct is °

. 1 5 E . 5c . 1 1 5 1 9 5 . S by Type June th , N 2 Dial O . is Of the uniq ue shape that exists at Tintin hull (224) and Swain swick

MONTACUTE CHURCH 2 5 0 . di on the t This al is the second buttress from ower , at 5 7 li e a height of feet inches above the ground . The no on n 5 st leho le l n o f is inches in length , the y is i i ches deep by i an 1 2 ° 5 s . b. inch in diameter , and the aspect is by E . Type 1 8 1 1 4 th 9 . June , i l This d a is upside down , and hence has been moved from ri A its o ginal place . fragment Of the metal style was ex e i l hi tract d about an nch in ength , and w ch had rusted down to f about i of an inch in diameter . It appears to be a piece o i ron . MUDFORD CHURCH

u N f E . 206 1 i on . o . ( ) This d al is the S face a b ttress at the 4 8 f h . corner o the c ancel It is feet inches above the ground ,

he n o nline 5 st leho le I t o is inches in length , the y is i inches °

an . . 30 . deep by i inch in diameter , and the aspect is S by E 3 Type . 2 th e a 2 7 . 0 . ( ) This dial is on same buttress as the bove , li 3 l 4 n . n 1 foot inches lower dow The noo ne is inches in ength , leh le 1 i the sty o is inch deep by i an inch in d ameter , and the ° 1 1 1 5 9 h 9 . 3 . t 30 E . aspect S . by Type May , 2 l m Dial No . appears to be fairly wel made , but it ight be 1 a copy of No . .

ODCOMB E CHURCH

f s . . 2 8 i i S E . o 0 . Th s d al is on the angle buttress the porch

4 i n o online 3 n . It is 4 feet nches above the ground , the is i ches t st lehole 4 1 di in leng h , the y is i inches deep by inch in ameter

8 1 9 1 5 . 3 . and the aspect is S . E . Type June th ,

l on S E . m a This dia is the face of the buttress , and hence y r n not be in its o igi al position .

8 6 Pr im itive S u n Dia ls or S cra tch Dia ls

2 1 5 4 ’ 4 . o f . ( ) This dial is W . the priest s door It is feet 9 n o online 4 inches above the ground , the is inches in length , . ° st lehole 1 5 5 s . . b. the y is filled up , and the aspect is by E Type Ma 1 8th 1 9 1 5 y , . 1 Dial NO . has been moved from its original place and used

a s fo r . i a quoin the W w ndow . The mortar round the stone o f di is fferent date from that Of the adj oining stones .

S TOKE - S U B - HAMDON CHURCH 2 1 6 1 . n ( ) This dial is o the S W . corner of the nave on a

. 4 3 q uoin It is feet inches above the ground , the no onlin e

4 or st lehole I is about inches in length a little less , the y is i inches in depth by i Of an inch in diameter , and the aspect is °

S . 30 . 3 by E Type .

2 1 7 . 2 i W S . r Of ( ) Th s dial is on the co ner the S . transept . 5 1 no onho le 2 It is feet inch above the ground , the is inches d st leho le 1 f istant , the y is inch in depth by i O an inch in ° i e 20 s . 9 . d am ter , and the aspect is by E . Type 2 1 8 3 . i ( ) This doubtful d al is on the E . side of the closed d 5 2 oorway in the nave . It is feet inches above the ground , no onlin e 3 st leh ole the is i inches in length , the y , if it exists

a t . all , is filled 2 1 4 ’ 9 . di . ( ) This al is on the E side of the priest s door . It 4 6 n oon line 5 is feet inches above the ground , the is inches st lehole l o f in length , the y is i inches in depth by i an inch 2 ° 5 . 3 in diameter , and the aspect is S . by E Type . 1 8 1 9 1 4 June th , .

NO . 3 n s has radiati g lines , as far as can be een , but it is somewhat doubtful if it be a dial at all .

S UTTON BI NGHAM CHURCH

2 2 f . W . o 0 i l S . . This d a is on the corner the nave It is about 6 n o on lin e 9 feet above the ground , the is inches in length , l S the st leho e . y which is in a joint , is filled and does not how , ° 1 1 1 1 6 9 5 . 0 . 3 . a nd the aspect is S . by E Type June th , h i i T is d al , wh ch is faint , contains few lines and is probably in its primitive condition . The wall is Norman work and d oes not appear to have been restored . Prim itive S u n Dials or S cra tch Dia ls 87

TINTINHULL CHURCH

1 f . . 22 1 . o ( ) This dial is on the E . side the S porch It is 4 ee 2 no on lin e 3 in f t inches above the ground , the is inches st lehole i length , the y is very shallow and i an inch in d ameter , 5 ° 1 0 3 . . and the aspect is S . by E Type

222 2 i on h E . . ( ) This d al is the t ird buttress from the 4 6 noonline end . It is feet inches above the ground , the 2 i n st lehole 1 is perhaps ches in length , the y is inch in depth , °

3 . 35 . and the aspect is S . by E Type

22 3 i . 3 . ( ) This d al is on the second buttress from the E 4 2 i n n o on lin e is end . It is feet nches above the grou d , the 2 n st lehole 2 1 n h i i ches in length , the y is i inches in depth by i c °

1 0. 30 . in diameter , and the aspect is S . by E Type

f . 224 4 i on S E . o . ( ) This d al is the buttress the chancel 4 6 u n o online I n s It is feet inches above the gro nd , the is i i che st leho le 2 i in 1 in length , the y is nches depth by inch in ° 6 30 . i . d ameter , and the aspect is S by E Type 1 1 5 1 9 5 . June th , 3 From dial NO . the end of the wooden style peg was ex tracted . 4 f r 25 Dial NO . is O the cu ious shape found at S wainswick ( ) and Martock 8 ial 8 P r im itive S we D ia ls o r S c ra tch D s .

IN ABNOR M AL POS ITI ONS

Char lin ch .

since reve sed Claverton ( r ) .

' t L p o n Noble .

- in - r an Walto n GO d o .

Cl t since r e aver on E . (

I u side the ch ch a u . L my at W . r

“ h it ch u r ch W .

90 I ndex

i 1 24 . L 86 87 . S t S . amyat , , eav ngton Mary ,

L S t 1 25 . S . angridge , eavington Michael , S w 1 1 . L 1 97 1 98 . 3 imington , , hap ick , S o 1 51 L 1 2 . 3 3 . itton , , merton , i o 1 80 S u 1 6 L . 7 1 68 . ov ngt n , o th Brewham , , S o u a u 1 72 . L l i 45 . u l ngton , th C db ry , t w 1 57 S P L . L S 66 . ydeard a rence , tanton rior , S L . 9 1 58 . ympsham , taplegrove , S l 1 1 4 tawe l , .

n 1 99 . Marston Mag a , S o n Ottersa 1 26 . t ckli ch y , 2 2 1 202 20 , 00 0 , 3 Martock , , , S S t . G 159a 15 6 toke regory , , 9 .

204 . - S su b - H 21 6 2 toke amdon, , 1 7 M 2 , 8 . ilton Clevedon , 21 8 2 1 , 9 . l 1 62 Monksi ver, . S 35 6 3 . towey , , 2 05 . - Montacute , S on - - 9 1 tratton the Fosse , lin 1 1 0. Moor ch , S u 22 tton Bingham , 0. f 2 06 207 . Mud ord , , S s 25 . wain wick ,

l 33 . e l 49 50 51 Nempnett Thrubwel , T l isford , , , . t St . L 64 . 72 New on oe, Tickenham , . 1 69 1 70 1 7 1 in North Cadbury , , , . l 22 1 222 223 224 T tinhu l , , , , .

r 1 55 . North Cu ry ,

37 . S Ubley, 65 . North toke, i 1 1 1 2 1 05 1 6 Uph ll , , . 0 . North Wootton , ,

U , 94 . S t . hili 46 pton Noble Norton P p, . 5 2 . O 1 6 W , 0. anstrow ake, G O 2 W , 73 . 08 . dcombe, alton in ordano f r 1 27 Way o d , 1 1 1 1 . 3 14 Pawlett, Weare, , . l 2 2 6 . 09 . Pendomer , Wel ow, e u r 1 03 . 88 . Pennard , East, W stb y , Pil 8 a 9 90. 1 83 . ton, , Weston B mfylde , P od m r M G o e 2 1 74 . 0 21 1 . y ilton , , Weston in ordano , 7 1 0. 90 1 91 . Portbury , West Camel , , d s 71 80. Porti hea , . West Cranmore, h i 1 5 53 . 0. Puck ngton , W atley, r 1 u 67 6 12 . 8 . Pu iton , Whitch rch , , 1 hi Lac kin ton 0. 128 . Puxton , W te g ,

S t . L w 7 1 5 1 6 1 . Wick a rence, , , 1 6 $uantoxhead , East, 3 . i 1 29 1 30 13 1 . W nsham, , , 1 8 1 1 82 . $ueen Camel , , 54 55 56 57 58 59 Woolverton , , , , , , 1 04 Wookey, . R , 34 . adstock o o W , 105 1 06. 212 2 1 3 2 1 4 2 ott n North , , R , , 1 5 . impton , , 75 W , 76 . 4 4 raxall , 7 8 . Road , , 1 8 . Wrington , S 99 1 00 1 01 Rodney toke , , , , 2 10 . Y 77 78 atton, , .